The Syrian Air Force launched numerous airstrikes in the ISIS-held village of Markada, targeting supply routes to the militants fighting in the Deir Ezzor District. ISIS’ livelihood at the Deir Ezzor Military Airport is contingent on their accessibility to supplies from their bases and weapons depots; the loss or disruption of supplies going to their embattled fighters could result in the lifting of the siege. The villagers in Markada have been immersed in violence since the advent of the armed conflict in Syria – ISIS was able to capture this village after clashing with Jabhat Al-Nusra militants earlier this year.
Al-Haweeqa Neighborhood:
Fierce clashes broke-out between the Syrian Arab Army’s 104 Brigade of the Republican Guard and ISIS militants at the Al-Haweeqa Neighborhood in Deir Ezzor City yesterday. The SAA successfully repelled ISIS’ attempt to breach their frontline defenses, killing 6 militants and wounding 10 others during the firefight. A military source reported that the Syrian Arab Army suffered the loss of 2 soldiers and 7 others that were wounded as a result of the clashes. A pick-up truck loaded with a doshka was also destroyed during this battle. The ISIS fighters killed in Al-Haleeqa:
- Abdel-Eli Abu Ma’aaz (Iraqi)
- Ibrahim Al-Hashim (Syrian)
- Hussein Al-Jassim (Syrian)
- Mohammad Bashir Hammoud (Syrian)
- 2 others without identification
Captured militants:
- ‘Aayash Al-Hassani
- Saleh Al-Zugheir
- Mohannad ‘Awad
- Rami ‘Ibrahim
- Jihad ‘Abbas
- Hamadi Khalouf
- Jassim Milhem
Al-Rasafa Neighborhood:
ISIS militants fired a missile in the vicinity of the Industrial Center of the Al-Rasafa Neighborhood, wounding 3 soldiers and causing material damage to a military outpost. Among the wounded were the following:
- Jamal Abdel-Aziz
- Fafad Al-Hameed
- Fadel Al-Abka’a
Al-Jubeileh Neighborhood:
4 Civilians were wounded by ISIS mortar shells that struck residential areas in the Al-Jubeileh Neighborhood of Deir Ezzor City. A source stated that 3 of the civilians are in stable condition, while one civilian was reported in critical condition.
Deir Ezzor Military Airport:
The Syrian Arab Army is currently under heavy bombardment by ISIS militants outside of the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, where the latter has continued its siege to capture the base. According to a military source, approximately 600 ISIS fighters are attacking SAA positions from the village of Al-Jaffra, in the attempt to close the 3 km gap between the militants and the airport. As of now, the SAA controls all roads leading to the military airport, despite the ISIS militants persistent attacks.
