The liberation of As-Sukhnah paves the way for the operation to free besieged Deir ez-Zor, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"On August 13, 2017, as a result of joint actions by the Russian Aerospace Forces, Syrian government troops and militia units in the east of the province of Homs, the town of As-Sukhnah was completely freed from Daesh terrorists."
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the strategic town was completely liberated at 7 am.
"The liberation of As-Sukhnah from Daesh terrorists opens new opportunities for the Syrian government forces to launch an offensive and deblock the city of Deir ez-Zor."
Last week, the Syrian army supported by its Air Force repelled a Daesh attack on Deir ez-Zor.
Deir ez-Zor, located on the shores of the Euphrates River to the northeast of Damascus, and a military airfield near the city have been besieged by Daesh for over three years, with food and ammunition only being delivered by air.
