Syrian Army's Offensive to Break the Siege of Deir ez-Zor

The Syrian army and its allies reached within three kilometers of the siege line of Deir ez-Zor city on Monday in a large and sudden offensive operation. This area has been under siege by Islamic State fighters for several years, with about 93,000 civilians trapped in a military garrison. According to Reuters, the advance of the Syrian army on this front represents another significant defeat for ISIS, which is rapidly losing its controlled territories in Iraq and Syria. Syrian state television reported on Monday that the army's rapid advance has now brought them to three kilometers from the besieged forces in Deir ez-Zor. The governor of Deir ez-Zor district expressed hope on Sunday that the advancing units of the army would reach the city by Tuesday night. A military media outlet of Hezbollah also stated that army forces and their allies are advancing towards the besieged garrison in the outskirts of the city. ISIS is retreating from its last controlled areas along the Euphrates River and in southern Deir ez-Zor, including the cities of Mayadin and Al-Bukamal near the Iraqi border. However, despite losing the city of Mosul and being engaged in street battles in Raqqa, ISIS has still managed to carry out terrorist operations in Western countries and remains a significant threat in other countries like Libya. The governor of Deir ez-Zor told Reuters that people have taken to the streets to express their joy at the approaching army forces and the end of the city's siege. The military garrison and part of Deir ez-Zor city were besieged by anti-regime rebels in 2013. In 2014, ISIS seized areas controlled by rebel groups, and since then, Deir ez-Zor has been under siege by this group. The fighters of this group have attempted to seize the besieged areas before the Syrian army's arrival since the beginning of this year. In January, they managed to separate the city from its airbase and capture a hill overlooking it, making communication with the outside more difficult. Reuters recalls that throughout the years Deir ez-Zor has been besieged, the needs of the people have been met through air aid to the city. The United Nations announced last month that about 93,000 civilians live in the area controlled by the Syrian army, and their situation is 'very dire.' However, the governor of Deir ez-Zor told Reuters, 'Despite all these problems, shelling, and injuries, the city's ongoing operations are being managed. Offices are functioning, bakeries are working, water is brought to the city twice a week, and it is distributed among the people daily.' The recent rapid victories for Syrian government forces are the result of months of their steady progress on the eastern fronts, which began after last autumn's victory in Aleppo. The Syrian army, with the help of Iran-backed Shiite militias and Russian air support, has managed to capture extensive areas in central and eastern deserts in recent months. According to one of the commanders of the pro-government militias, as the army advances on the Deir ez-Zor front, ISIS has moved some of its forces from Mayadin to this front and is using its usual methods such as planting explosive traps, laying mines, and surprise attacks. In recent weeks, the Syrian army and its allies have managed to recapture other small areas that were under the control of fighters, including an area on the border with Lebanon, allowing them to send more forces to the eastern fronts and Deir ez-Zor.