Deir Ezzor update: Syrian Army within striking distance of ISIS capital – map

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has made remarkable progress in the Deir Ezzor Governorate over the three weeks, liberating a significant portion of the province that was occupied by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

Most recently, units from the Republican Guard, 4th Mechanized Division, and 5th Legion have made their way across several kilometers of territory south of the provincial capital, putting them within striking distance of Al-Mayadeen, the Islamic State’s new de facto capital in Syria.

According to the latest Syrian military report, the SAA is only 6km away from Al-Mayadeen, marking the first time in years that the government forces have had any presence around this Deir Ezzor Governorate city.

For ISIS, losing Al-Mayadeen might be a bigger loss than their imminent defeat in Raqqa City, as the former is located along the main road to the terrorist group’s most important Iraqi crossing at Albukamal.

Albukamal is located directly west of the Iraqi city of Al-Qa’im, which is another terrorist stronghold in the Al-Anbar Governorate.