The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) resumed their counter-offensive in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, Monday, targeting the Islamic State’s (IS) last positions along the Sukhnah-Deir ez-Zor Highway near the town of Al-Shoulah, Al-Masdar News reveals.

Led by the 5th Legion and 18th Tank Division, the Syrian Arab Army attacked the Islamic State’s positions south of the Sukhnah-Deir ez-Zor Highway, inflicting heavy damage on the terrorist group’s defenses while also advancing northward.

According to a military report, the Syrian Army should clean-up the remaining IS-occupied territories this week and reopen the highway.

Once the Sukhnah-Deir ez-Zor Highway is fully liberated, the Syrian Army can turn their attention to the remaining areas inside the provincial capital that are occupied by IS.