Syrian forces with the help of Russian air power claim to have captured a suburb of the eastern city of Deir al-Zor. It’s part of an on going operation to retake the region from self-styled Islamic State.<br /><br />Early this month the army pushed into Deir al-Zor breaking ISIL’s three year-long siege of the enclave.<br /><br />On Sunday ( Sept. 17) the Syrian army and allied forces captured the al-Jafra district.<br /><br />Syrian army, allies close in on Islamic State in Deir al-Zor https://t.co/2pAxlfkc7Q pic.twitter.com/483xfGd47f— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) September 17, 2017<br /><br /><br />Washington and Moscow are backing separate offensives in the oil-rich province. Both have advanced from opposite sides of the Euphrates.<br /><br />The military operation has forced civilians along with suspected jihadists to flee across the river and seek shelter in a refugee camp in the desert.<br /><br />Those who managed to get out have horrific accounts.<br />Most are women. Many of the men have either disappeared or fled.<br /><br />“The planes carried out random bombardments. Children, people got killed, wounded, houses were destroyed. Only the elderly stayed, they couldn’t leave.”<br /><br />Separate air strikes by Russia and by the US-led coalition have killed more than 34 people including children in the last 24 – hours according to a human rights monitoring group.<br />
