Military Operations Command, the rebel coalition consisting of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has successfully taken control of the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The spokesperson for the Military Operations Command, Hassan Abdul Ghani, declared the city of Deir Ezzor and its military airport as completely liberated.
However, according to a source within the SDF, the Kurdish forces have only withdrawn from the western bank of the Euphrates in Deir Ezzor city, where they had recently made advancements. The SDF had initially gained control of the eastern portion of the city, located east of the Euphrates, back in 2017 after the expulsion of ISIS.
Video footage, geolocated by undisclosed sources, shows individuals dressed in camouflage attire outside the provincial administrative building in Deir Ezzor. Some of these individuals are visibly armed and wearing body armor. The video captures an armored vehicle and two trucks parked outside the government building, which prominently displays the former Syrian regime flag.
Deir Ezzor serves as the capital of the governorate bearing the same name and is known for its significant oil and wheat fields.
