The Syrian army has taken full control of Deir Hafer in the eastern Aleppo countryside
In a significant development on the ground, Syrian army units announced their complete control over the city of Deir Hafer, located in the eastern Aleppo countryside, following intensive military operations that led to the withdrawal of ISIS militants from the city. This military achievement culminates a broad campaign aimed at securing the eastern Aleppo countryside and expanding the security perimeter around vital areas.
Details of the military operation
The capture of Deir Hafer came after Syrian forces imposed a tight military cordon around the city, cutting off the militants' supply lines and forcing them to withdraw towards the desert and neighboring villages. Army engineering units then swept the city, dismantling improvised explosive devices and mines planted by the group before its withdrawal, to ensure the area's safety and pave the way for the return of stability.
The strategic importance of the city of Deir Hafer
The city of Deir Hafer holds immense strategic importance, as it was considered the last and most important stronghold of ISIS in the eastern Aleppo countryside. Its significance lies in its geographical location, forming a vital transportation hub linking Aleppo and Raqqa. With the fall of this city, the Syrian army has fully secured the perimeter of Kuweires military airport and paved the way for an advance towards Maskana and the western countryside of Raqqa province, the group's main stronghold at the time.
General context and securing water resources
This event cannot be separated from the broader context of the battles in northern Syria, as this capture came shortly after the Syrian army recaptured the water pumping station in al-Khafsa. Deir Hafer is considered the rear defense line that threatened the security of these stations; therefore, controlling it means securing a sustainable supply of drinking water for millions of residents in Aleppo, who have long suffered from water cuts used as a tool of military pressure.
Regional and international impact
Regionally, the fall of Deir Hafer represents a significant blow to ISIS, reducing the territory it controls and severing the geographical link between its remaining areas of influence in the Syrian desert and the Euphrates Valley. Internationally, these operations are viewed as part of the efforts to eliminate terrorism in the region, and these moves have often been carried out with intensive Russian air cover, which has contributed to accelerating the pace of military operations on the ground.
In conclusion, this field advance paves the way for a new phase of military operations aimed at reaching the banks of the Euphrates River, radically changing the map of control in northern Syria and strengthening the influence of the Syrian state in the eastern regions.
