Islam Times - Senior Syrian commander martyred by landmine

Islam times - Senior Syrian commander Issam Zahreddine, who led the fight against ISIS in Deir al-Zor, was martyred Wednesday in operations against the terrorist group in Sakr Island, east of the embattled city, a Hezbollah-affiliated media unit reported.

The War Media Center described the brigadier general, 56, as one of the most important field commanders in the Syrian army, saying he was instrumental in breaking a nearly three-year ISIS siege on the city of Deir al-Zor earlier this year. The media unit said a land mine martyred him.

Zahreddine, who headed the 104 Brigade of the Syrian Republican Guard, maintained a government presence in Deir al-Zor despite the prolonged siege on his forces. The siege was breached in September in an offensive, and the government and allied troops have since retaken most of the city.

Zahreddine also led government offensives against armed opposition in the central Homs province and near the capital, Damascus, in the earlier days of the Syrian conflict.

On the southern front of Deir al-Zor province, the Syrian army and its allies progressed 8 kilometers along the Humeima-T2-Station road with a 5-kilometer buffer covering the road’s flanks, according to the War Media Center.

With the new advances, the Syrian forces are now positioned inside the administrative border of Deir al-Zor with Homs, located around 9 kilometers from the T2 station.