The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Syrian Republican Guard (SRG) have successfully entered the important village of ash-Sholah and took control of it after a firefight with ISIS units, according to pro-government sources.
Ash-Sholah is located at the strategic Sukhna-Deir Ezzor highway and if the SAA and the SRG are able to secure it from ISIS attacks, they will be able to use the village as a launching pad for a push towards the Panorama Junction in southern Deir Ezzor.
The government advance is ongoing amid intense airstrikes by Russian and Syrian warplanes. Russian attack helicopters provide a close air support to the government assault force.
Earlier today, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian warplanes have killed ISIS’ minister of war, Gulmurod Khalimov, and other field commanders near Deir Ezzor. This could impact the ISIS ability to defend its positions inside and outside the city.
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