Syrian government troops cross Euphrates : Russian military

MOSCOW - 18 September 2017: The Syrian government troops, supported by Russian warplanes, have crossed the Euphrates River near Syria's eastern city of Deir Ezzor, Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying on Monday.

The Syrian army has driven Daesh militants from a number of villages on the eastern bank of the Euphrates and launched an offensive in the eastern direction, a ministry statement said.

The Syrian government forces are now carrying out a rapid attack against terrorists in the vicinity of Deir Ezzor, the last major Daesh stronghold in Syria, according to the ministry.

Earlier this month, the Russia-backed Syrian army broke the Daesh siege of Deir Ezzor, which had been held by the terrorist group for three years.