OVERVIEW OF MILITARY SITUATION IN DEIR EZZOR ON JANUARY 17, 2016

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Heay clashes are ongoing in the areas of Cemetry, Al Fourat University, Al-Maqabis Production and Jiraiya in the Syrian city of Deir Ezzor as ISIS terrorists have been attempting to develop a momentum gained earleir this week.

Cotrolling al-Assad Hospital and Al Fourat University, government forces still have some chances to link up the Deir Ezzor Airport with the rest of the government-held pocket. However, it will not be an easy task.

ISIS had deployed a singificant number of troops (some sources note that these were elite units redeployed from Raqqah and Mosul), military equipment and artillery pieces. Army positions are under a constant artillery fire.

Pro-ISIS sources claim that dozens of government troops have been killed and about 10 units of military equipment destroyed during the clashes. Pro-government outlets claim that about 70 ISIS members have been killed since January 16. However, both sides don’t provide enough video and photo evidence to confirm their claims.

The military situation in Deir Ezzor is now very complicated for the Syrian army even despite an air support by Syrian and Russian warplanes.

The army’s goal is to push ISIS militants from the road linking up the Deir Ezzor Airport and Al-Assad Hospital. In turn, ISIS seeks to develop the gained momentum and to gain more ground in the same area. If ISIS achieves a success in this, the group will be able to focus on storming the airport.

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