The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) attacked the Islamic State militants in the eastern countryside of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate after they scored a small advance against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of the Euphrates.

According to a military report from Deir ez-Zor, the Syrian Arab Army targeted the Islamic State’s poorly established positions at the town of Baghouz Fouqani, hitting some launching pads used by the militant group to fire across the river.

The Islamic State recently reentered Baghouz Fouqani after losing the important town to the Syrian Democratic Forces.

IS is trying to expand their pocket eastward in an attempt to lift the pressure off their forces inside the town of Murashida.

Should the counter-offensive fail, it will likely be the last time the Islamic State will be on the attack in the eastern region of the Euphrates River Valley.