Islamic State attacks Syria's Deir ez-Zor city in Syria

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Islamic State launched their largest offensive of the year inside Syria on Saturday, January 14, targeting the Syrian Arab Army's (IS) final positions inside the desert province of Deir ez-Zor, AMN reports.

IS began the assault by simultaneously storming the Al-Baghiliyah and Al-Rashidiyah districts of Deir ez-Zor city; this resulted in a fierce battle with the Syrian Arab Army's 123rd Brigade.

Not long after attacking the provincial capital this morning, the Islamic State launched another powerful attack on the Deir ez-Zor Airport, striking the eastern perimeter of this strategic military installation.

With firefights breaking out across the provincial capital, the Syrian Arab Army responded to this large-scale terrorist assault by launching a flurry of missiles from the 137th Artillery Base, forcing the Islamic State to abandon their attack on the Al-Baghiliyah District.

Following the missile strike, the Syrian Air Force took the initiative and began launching nonstop airstrikes over the Islamic State's positions inside the city.

While no significant gains have been made by the terrorist group, intense clashes are still ongoing across the provincial capital, with the Islamic State still on the offensive.