Syrian Army appoints talented general to assume overall command in Deir Ezzor

After showing off brilliant tactical skills in a recent counter-offensive in central Syria, Major General Muhammad Khaddour was appointed commander-in-chief of all Syrian Arab Army (SAA) units across Deir Ezzor Province by the Military High Command on Tuesday.

Major General Muhammad Khaddour will replace his counterpart Major General Rafiq Shahada who despite achieving a series of victories over the Islamic State has been relieved of command.

Khaddour reportedly gained popularity within the Military High Command after he proved his worth by driving back an ISIS counter-offensive along the M7 Highway last month, thus not only regaining control of the main supply line to Deir Ezzor but also cancelling out the last major offensive mustered by the Islamic State.

During this operation, Major General Muhammad Khaddour reshuffled the deployment of SAA troops, many of whom were less experienced, to trap and eliminate the ISIS bulge through a mixture of counter-attacks and calling in Russian airstrikes.

Next on the agenda, Muhammad Khaddour will sketch up a strategic plan for the coming assault on the ISIS stronghold of Abu Kamal. For this military objective, he can draw upon the help of both Syrian Major General Suheil Al-Hassan (commander of the Tiger Forces) and Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani (commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) whom both remain present in southern Deir Ezzor, leading elite assault troops under their command at a lower operational level.