21st Century Wire says…
The net is closing in on ISIS at the key strategic point on Deir-ez-Zor. When ISIS is defeated there, it will be nearly trapped in its stronghold of Raqqa.
Aside from bringing an end to the 4 year ordeal and horrendous suffering of its residents, the liberation of Deir ez-Zor would effectively spell the beginning of the end for ISIS in Syria, says Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“Today we can say that everyone is focused, set up for the fight against the IS [Daesh]. Today there are such key points, like Deir ez-Zor, I would say, first and foremost, Deir-ez-Zor… It’s such a basic point on the Euphrates, which would largely, if not ultimately, let us talk about the end of fight against the IS,” Shoigu told Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
The worst part about this scenario for war hawks and regime change agents in Washington and London – is that it’s Russia and the Syrian Army who are taking out ISIS here – and not the western-centric TV drama they hoped for to play-out in prime time on CNN and the BBC .
Watch this incredible footage and reporting from inside the besieged city…
RT International reports…
As the Syrian army advances towards the city of Deir ez-Zor, its residents are counting the days until liberation following years of living under an ISIS siege. Exclusive footage from the city, obtained by RT, reveals civilian sufferings and their struggle to obtain basic necessities.
Ever since the jihadists encircled the city in July 2014, suffering residents have managed to adapt, enduring the wretched living conditions.
We’re simply not living. We live like dogs here,” one of the locals told an RT contributor who managed to gain exclusive access to the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) besieged neighborhood of Al-Jura.
Although Damascus remains in control of most parts of the city, including its air base, IS terrorists has for years tried to break the government and territorial defense force’s resistance inside the encircled municipal center.
Amid the widespread destruction, dozens of locals have been captured in the RT video queueing the streets just to get some clean water and a little bit of bread.
With the infrastructure mostly destroyed and no power supply, the only way civilians inside the city can stay warm is through burning firewood. They also use it to make food, if they can get their hands on any provisions.
Rare airdrops of humanitarian aid onto the city remains the only lifeline that supports the residents of the besieged city.
Blood stained streets, unexploded munitions and craters from explosions have long replaced the lavish playgrounds of the city that children once played in. One resident, pointing to an unexploded munition, said they have been living under IS’ bombardment for years.
“These are the shells, which were recently released by militants on the neighborhoods of Deir ez-Zor,” the civilian said. “It is a crime. There is no security. There is no protection.”
However, the situation may soon drastically improve, and Deir ez-Zor residents could appreciate some peace and stability as the Syrian army, supported by Russian and Syrian airplanes, make their final push towards the city.
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On Tuesday, the army clashed with jihadists in the vicinity of the airport and on the axis of al-Bugheiliyeh village, Sana reported. The Syrian Air Force also targeted “ISIS dens and movements” in the villages of Ayash, Hatla, al-Husseiniyeh and Huwejet Saqr.
Local sources told the Syrian news agency that foreign IS fighters were trying to flee the area amid the government advance…
Continue this story at RT
SEE MORE SYRIA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Syria Files
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