Syrian army 'close to breaking' ISIL siege.
The Syrian army and allied forces are close to breaking a three-year siege imposed by ISIL fighters on parts of the eastern city of Deir Az Zor, according to state-run media.
ISIL controls most of Deir Az Zor province - apart from a Syrian government-held enclave in Deir Az Zor city and a nearby military airbase.
state television reported on Monday,
Pro-government forces have been advancing towards the city on multiple fronts for weeks, and are now within 3km of the enclave.
A military media unit run by the government's ally Hezbollah said the advancing forces were heading to the besieged military camp camp on the city outskirts.
"In the last several weeks, it's been reported that ISIL has lost more than half of its self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa in Syria," he added.
"Deir Az Zor, in the east of the country, is really their last remaining post in Syria - there are still large parts of Deir Az Zor province that are strongholds for ISIL fighters. If the government is going to be able to breach this siege, that is going to be a problem for ISIL if they are going to retain other territories."
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