The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched two large scale offensives last week, targeting the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and National Defense Forces (NDF) at the Deir Ezzor Military Airbase and the provincial capital; this assault was conducted in conjunction with the isolated Kuweires Airbase in southeast Aleppo.
ISIS was relentless with their multiple assaults at the Kuweires Military Airbase, as they persistently attempted to infiltrate past the Syrian Arab Army’s defensive barriers; however, they were unsuccessful for the third time this year, resulting in the death of over 90 enemy combatants from ISIS – causality count was estimated around 300 militants, but Al-Masdar could not verify this number.
In addition to the significant causalities sustained at Kuweires Military Airbase, the ISIS attack at the provincial capital started off successfully, with the armed combatants infiltrating into the Al-Sina’a Quarter, while also recapturing parts of Sakr Island, Al-Muri’iyah, and Al-Jafra.
Unfortunately for ISIS, the tables turned when they stormed the Deir Ezzor Military Airbase, as the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Brigade of the 17th Division overpowered the enemy combatants, killing a total of 68 militants and destroying seven armored vehicles that were mounted with doshkas and anti-aircraft machine guns.
The SAA’s 137th Brigade was able to successfully repel the ISIS offensive after one week of fierce clashes that engulfed the provincial capital.
According to a military source at the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, 164 casualties from ISIS were identified by the 137th Brigade, including militants from the following cities and countries:
- 63 Syrians: Sabkha village (Deir Ezzor)
- 18 Syrians: Khaabour village (Deir Ezzor)
- 18 Syrians: Abu Kamaal town (Deir Ezzor)
- 11 Syrians: Quriyah village (Deir Ezzor)
- 34 Syrians: Khasham village (Deir Ezzor)
- 6 Tunisians
- 3 Chechens
- 2 Turks
- 1 Palestinian
- 4 Saudis
- 4 Libyans
