Syrian Army Seizes Daesh Chemical Arsenal in Deir Ez-Zor

The Syrian Defense Department on Sunday spread images of arsenals, containing hundreds of rifles, thousands of bullets, explosive belts, mines and rockets seized from Daesh.

Six tanks, two mined armored vehicles and a truck containing chemical substances were included in the arsenal, together with several drones Daesh used for its attacks against Syrian government troops.

After seizure of Deir ez-Zor city, the Syrian Arab Army and their allies resumed their large-scale offensive in the city’s countryside Sunday, targeting the long stretch of highway from the T-2 Pumping Station to the border-city of al-Bukamal.

Meantime, the Syrian Arab Army continued to push eastward along the Deir ez-Zor to al-Bukamal Highway, liberating several points after a fierce a battle with the Daesh elements.

The Syrian Army and their allies were able to liberate at least 10km of territory along the highway, while also seizing several points along the Iraqi border with the Deir ez-zor governorate.

This advance comes after the Syrian Arab Army reached the town of Al-Ba’ajat, which is located just north of the Iraqi border.

As a result of this advance, the Syrian Arab Army is within 30km west of al-Bukamal, marking their closest approach to the city since withdrawing from it in July 2012.

In the meantime, the US backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) seized the Shudayha, Younes, Shaitat, and Sarhit oil fields from Daesh on Sunday. These advances put the SDF within 40 kilometers of al-Bukamal.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling small part of it.