Updated field report of Deir Ezzor battle: map

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been on the move in the Deir Ezzor Governorate, capturing a significant amount of territory that was previously occupied by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

However, despite the advances by both parties, the Islamic State has managed to muster-up several counter-attacks in the Deir Ezzor countryside, resulting in the brief obstruction of the Deir Ezzor-Sukhnah Highway.

The obstruction of the Deir Ezzor-Sukhnah Highway did force the Syrian Army to temporarily halt their offensive in the provincial capital, but it was unable to forestall their advance along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

On Monday, the Syrian Arab Army improved their positions along the eastern bank of the Euphrates, liberating the town of Hatla Al-Sharqiyah near the strategic Al-‘Umar Oil Fields.

Meanwhile, northeast of Hatla Al-Sharqiyah, the Syrian Democratic Forces have been making their way towards the Al-‘Umar Oil Fields, capturing several small towns east of the provincial capital.

Currently, the Syrian Army is leading the race to Al-‘Umar, as their forces have encircled nearby Al-Mayadeen and liberated several sites just north of these oil fields.