Russian forces launch attack on IS in Syria's Deir Ezour

MOSCOW, Nov 3 (KUNA) -- Russian air and naval forces launched a joint offensive against so-called Islamic State (IS) positions in eastern Syria, the Ministry of Defense said Friday.
Long-range Tupolev-22 and Kolpino Submarine unleashed a joint strike against IS bunkers in Abu Kamal area in Deir Ezour province, ministry spokesman Igor kunashinkov said in a statement.
He said the assault destroyed arms depots, a command center and militants.
The spokesman also said Sukhoi military jets also took part in the operation, which enabled the Syrian forces to eliminate the terrorists and regained control of the Deir Ezour.
Earlier today, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Syrian regime forces supported by armed groups and Russian warplanes have completely taken control of Deir Ezour.
It added that regime troops advanced into this key city and its outskirts, recapturing vast and wide parts of Deir Ezour and the nearby areas which they had lost to IS in July 2014.
The city seizure is yet another major military blow to IS, which lost a series of strongholds in Syria and neighboring Iraq in recent fights.
The Syrian Army forces and the armed groups conducted search operations inside and on outskirts of the city, including Al-Howaiqa neighborhood, looking for IS elements, SOHR added. (end) as.bs