Operation Featherweight: Month 40, Week 2, Day 1.

This should really be read as a continuation of yesterday's post; https://watchitdie.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/operation-featherweight-month-40-week-2.html

The Cizre Storm operation was really launched in response to a similar operation being conducted by the Syrians themselves.

Alongside ISIL the Syrians have also been battling the Army of Conquest/Jaish al-Fatah. This is a coalition of Islamist forces which is headed by Al Qaeda's Syrian branch and is allied to ISIL.

In May 2017 the Astana Process on Syria saw an agreement between the Syrians and the Army of Conquest. Fighting between them would be suspended in four designated zones within Syria. This allowed the Syrians and their Russian backers to focus all of their attention of defeating ISIL.

This is what the Syrians immediately set about doing clearing ISIL from the centre of the country both in the north from Aleppo City and in the south from the capital Damascus.

On June 9th (9/6/17) Syrians forces in the south reached the town of al-Tanf. This is located on Syria's border with Iraq around 280km (170 miles) east of Damascus and 160km (95 miles) north-west of the Iraqi town of Rutba.

From al-Tanf the Syrians then advanced towards Palmyra around 180km (110 miles) to the north-west almost in the exact centre of Syria. Palmyra liberated from ISIL by the Syrians in March 2017.

On June 4th (4/6/17) Syrian forces in the north liberated the town of Maskanah. This sits on the banks of Lake Assad around 90km (50 miles) west of Raqqa this was the last ISIL occupied town within Aleppo Province.

Having liberated Maskanah the Syrians have diverted around SDF-held Tabqa and Raqqa. On July 30th (30/7/17) they liberated the town of Dalhah around 25km (15 miles) south-east of Raqqa.

In liberating Dalhah the Syrians blocked the advance of the SDF. As part of the operation to liberate Raqqa the SDF had been conducting a west-to-east sweep along the southern bank of the Euphrates. At the time this had been advancing on Dalhah from Ukayrishah some 10km (6 miles) north-west towards Raqqa.

The Syrian forces in Palmyra and Dalhah then converged on the town of as-Suknah. This sits around 130km (75 miles) south of Raqqa and 65km (40 miles) north-east of Palmyra.

From as-Suknah the Syrians then advanced around 120km (70 miles) north-east to the city of  Deir-ez-Zour. On September 5th (5/9/17) the Syrians reached Deir-ez-Zour relieving their forces that had been besieged there by ISIL since March 2014.

In reaching Deir-ez-Zour city the Syrians established a line of control between as-Suknah and Deir-ez-Zour City. The Suknah - Deir-ez-Zour Line.

Having broken the siege on Deir-ez-Zour the Syrians then set about clearing the area to the north of the Suknah - Deir-ez-Zour Line to the Euphrates. This was completed on September 24th (24/9/17) with the liberation of Madan itself.

While the Syrians were focused on clearing the area to the north of the Suknah - Deir-ez-Zour Line ISIL attacked the line from the south.

On September 28th (28/9/17) ISIL forces in Mayadin launched their "Abu Muhammad al-Adani Offensive." This was intended to break Syrian lines both between Deir-ez-Zour and as-Suknah and between as-Suknah and Palmyra.

On September 29th (29/9/17) the Syrians launched an offensive of their own to counter the al-Adani offensive. By October 6th (6/10/17) they had pushed ISIL all the way back to the outskirts of Mayadin.

On October 9th (9/10/17) the Syrians liberated the Shibli and Kahfri Farms along with Mayadin Airport. These all sit in the south-east of the city.

On October 13th (13/10/17) the Syrians took control of the bridge that links Mayadin with the Diban area on the north bank of the Euphrates. This effectively left Mayadin completely encircled with ISIL trapped inside.

On October 14th (14/10/17) the Syrians made their final move and liberated Mayadin in one fell swoop.

While the Syrians were liberating Mayadin from ISIL they also liberated the Saroukh Mountains on October 10th (10/10/17). These overlook the what at that point is the M20 Motorway running between as-Suknah and Palmyra. Control of the mountains gives the Syrians complete control of the road.

The Syrians have also been working to liberate Deir-ez-Zour City.

Although Deir-ez-Zour City was almost completely overrun by ISIL in March 2014 the Syrians have always been able to keep control of two distinct areas of the city.

To the west the Syrians retained control of an area stretching from their 137th Brigade base into the south-west of the city up to the Cemetery area. To the east they retained control of an area stretching from the Airport complex into the south-east of the city up to the al-Rasafah district.

When the Syrians broke the siege on the city on September 5th (5/9/17) they did so by entering via the 137th Brigade base. On September 9th (9/9/17) they crossed the Cemetery area reaching the Harabesh Quarter district. This linked the west and eastern parts of Deir-ez-Zour city held by the Syrians lifting the siege on the Airport complex.

From the Airport area the Syrians then advanced north into the Saqr Island and Jafra areas. These sit directly on the south-eastern outskirts of Deir-ez-Zour City. On September 19th (19/9/17) they crossed onto the north bank of the Euphrates into the al-Jafra farms area.

The Syrians then continued to advance on the north bank of the Euphrates taking control of the al-Hatlah Tahtani area. On October 10th (10/10/17) they liberated the Hatlah al-Shargiyah and Asus areas. This gave them control of the H7 Highway bridge across the Euphrates trapping ISIL in the southern portion of the city.

On October 13th (13/10/17) the Syrians advanced north-west from the Hatlah al-Shargiyah to take liberate the adjacent as-Salhiyah district. This gave them control of more of the H7 Highway including the al-Halabieh Roundabout Junction.

Taking control of the al-Salhiyah district also put the Syrians in contact with the SDF who control the adjacent al-Husayniyah area. On October 18th (18/10/17) the Syrians liberated the al-Mahatlah and al-Shababat districts. These sit between the al-Husayniyah district and the Industrial Zone creating a risk that the SDF will be cut off in the al-Husaniyah district.

On October 14th (14/10/17) the Syrians also started advancing within the main body of Deir-ez-Zour on the south bank of the Euphrates. From the Cemetery area they advanced north into the Port Said district. This sits between the Cemetery area and the Old Airport District which contains the city's Municipal Stadium.

On October 16th (16/10/17) the Syrians were able to claim that they had liberated every town, village and farm on the south bank of the Euphrates between Deir-ez-Zour City and Mayadin.

16:45 on 25/10/17 (UK date).