Syrian army, allies thrust east to break siege in Deir al-Zor city

BEIRUT (Reuters) - With a sudden lunge through jihadist lines, the Syrian army and its allies on Monday came to within 3 km of relieving the Euphrates city of Deir al-Zor, where Islamic State has besieged 93,000 civilians and an army garrison for years.

The advance on the eastern city marks another stinging setback for the once-triumphant Islamic State, fast retreating in both Iraq and Syria as its self-declared caliphate crumbles.

Syrian troops were rapidly approaching the city, reaching a point 3 km (2 miles) away, state television said. Dozens of trucks loaded with food stood ready to enter the enclave in the city once government forces break the siege, it said.

(For a graphic on battle for control in Syria click tmsnrt.rs/2wyo0lw)

A military media unit run by Hezbollah, a key ally of Damascus, said the advancing forces were heading to the garrison’s camp on the city outskirts.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/syrian-army-allies-thrust-east-to-break-siege-in-deir-al-zor-city-idUSKCN1BF1G0