Locals in Al-Mayadeen have spoken of the horror of living with Islamic State after the terror group was routed from one of its last strongholds by Syrian and allied forces. <br /> <br />Footage shot on Sunday showed the city in ruins with huge caches of weapons left behind by feeling IS fighters. <br /> <br />Locals spoke of being thrown in jail for smoking one cigarette, having beard stubble or not wearing the correct clothing. <br /> <br />Russian Defence Ministry Spokesperson Major General Igor Konashenkov confirmed the city was retaken during a successful offensive operation carried out by Syrian government troops. <br /> <br />A Syrian military officer said troops searched the whole area, which was the main military depot of ISIS and found underground tunnels full of weapons. <br /> <br />The operation to liberate Al-Mayadeen, which is 44 kilometres (27.3 miles) southeast of Deir ez-Zor, reportedly lasted less than three days.
