Syrian Army kicks off offensive to liberate Palmyra-Deir Ezzor Road

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched their long-awaited offensive this morning to liberate the territory around the Palmyra-Deir Ezzor Road in order to lift the siege imposed by the Islamic State (ISIL) on the Deir Ezzor Governorate.

Led by the 5th Legion and Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army stormed the Talilah area east of Palmyra, inflicting heavy damage on the Islamic State militants defending the territory west of the strategic crossroad.

With their main line of defense fractured, the Islamic State was forced to retreat from the Talilah area, paving the way for the Syrian Arab Army units to press east towards the Talilah Crossroad and T-3 Pumping Station.

Meanwhile, along the Palmyra-Deir Ezzor Road, a unit from the 5th Legion attacked the Islamic State’s positions west of the ‘Arak Gas Fields; this battle is ongoing at the moment.

The first phase of this offensive will be to liberate the road leading from Palmyra to the T-3 Pumping Station and the territory west of the ‘Arak Gas Fields; once completed, the Syrian Arab Army will intensify their assault, as they make a big push towards Deir Ezzor from two different axes.