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On Thursday, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger Forces captured Saqr Island and fully secured al-Sina’a area in the eastern part of Deir Ezzor city, according to the Syrian Defense Ministry.
The ministry added that the SAA destroyed many vehicles of ISIS, including several VBIEDs, during the advance in Saqr island.
Meanwhile, the ISIS linked news agency Amaq claimed that ISIS fighters repelled yesterday and attack of the SAA on their position around al-Sina’a area. Amaq reported that several SAA soldiers were killed or injured, and a BMP-1 vehicle of the SAA was destroyed in the clashes.
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Although ISIS fighters inside Deir Ezzor city are well armed and experienced, the battle isn’t expected to last for a long time thanks to the Tiger Forces experince in urban warfare.
Furthermore, Syrian Republican Guard soldiers and local National Defense Forces (NDF) fighters are very familiar with Deir Ezzor city.
In a related development, Syrian pro-government sources reported that 500 men from al-Bu Sarya tribe joined the pro-government Liwa al-Quds force in Deir Ezzor. The tribesmen will participate in the attack on the last ISIS stronghold in Syria, al-Bukamal city, according to the sources.
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