LATEST: Syrian Military Claims Advance in Offensive to Cut Off Insurgents in Aleppo

The Islamic State launched another assault on Saturday on Deir Ez Zor airbase, one of the Syrian military’s last major positions in eastern Syria.

Reports indicated that the jihadists attacked on two fronts but did not manage to get inside the large complex.

The Islamic State began its offensive last month, seeking to consolidate their control of most of eastern Syria. They have attacked the airbase on several occasions, blowing up suicide vehicle bombs at the gates and briefly occupying part of the base earlier this month.

The Islamic State has also been trying to push the Syrian military into a corner of Deir Ez Zor city, Syria’s seventh-largest. Seizing the airbase would support that effort, preventing resupply of regime forces.

This summer, the jihadists took all the regime’s bases in Raqqa Province in northern Syria, including the Taqba Airbase where they executed scores of troops.

Sources indicate that Deir Ez Zor, unlike Taqba, is defended by elite units including Republican Guards.

The pro-regime Al-Mayadeen airs footage trying to show normal operations continuing inside the airbase:

Syrian forces inside the airbase:

A night battle near the base:


Syrian Military Claims Advance in Offensive to Cut Off Insurgents in Aleppo

The Syrian military is claiming success in its attempt to cut off the northeastern routes to insurgents in the divided city of Aleppo.

State news agency SANA reported on Sunday that Syrian forces took al-Malah farms and the areas to the south and west of Handarat, a key town on one of the remaining supply routes to insurgents who have been in Aleppo since July 2012.

The military claimed that it had killed many insurgents, particularly from the Islamist faction Jabhat al-Nusra, and prompted others to flee to the north.

Iran Hosts Deputy UN Envoy, Presses For “Realistic Views” To Solve Syrian Crisis

Iran has hosted the deputy UN envoy on Syria, Ramzy Ezzeddin, as discussions continue on a UN proposal for a “freeze” in fighting in Syria’s largest city, Aleppo.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian called for a political resolution with “realistic views based on what is existing on the ground”.

At the same time, Abdollahian tried to define an “acceptable” opposition for any talks including the Assad regime: “There must be a distinction between terrorists and domestic opposition.” He added:

While [UN envoy Staffan] de Mistura’s plan to “freeze” the fighting in Aleppo is in progress, the foreign-backed arming and training of the moderate opposition is in stark contrast to this plan, and the UN must officially decry the arming of the opposition.

Ezzeddin was cautious in his remarks on Iran’s proposals, saying they were “noticeable”.

(Cross-posted from Syria Daily)