As the Syrian army has further advanced toward the city of Deir Ezzor besieged for years by ISIL terrorists, a source revealed to Sputnik details of the ongoing operation to liberate the area.

The Syrian army is preparing to launch an attack on ISIL terrorist group positions 5 kilometers west of Deir Ezzor, a source told Sputnik Monday.

“The Syrian army and its allies have taken over an asphalt plant in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, and are now preparing to liberate the barracks of the 137th brigade five kilometers west of the city,” the source said.

Earlier in the day, another source told Sputnik that the Syrian army was engaged in an offensive on Deir Ezzor in two directions, west and south-west. Local media report that the forward units of the Syrian forces are involved in a fight with Daesh militants less than two miles from the city.