Russia Warns US-Backed Militias Against Any Provocation in Syria

Russia has said it will attack the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) if they face any attack or disruption in their operations from the latter in areas along Euphrates valley, where Islamic State (IS) is currently facing offensive from both the sides.

The Russian defence ministry said if the US-backed militias attack or shell Syrian or Russian task forces operating in Deir ezzor province, it will prompt immediate action from the allied forces against these groups.

"The Syrian governmental troops have been shelled twice from the areas on the western bank of the Euphrates controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the US military,” Russia Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

The IS is currently taking offensive from each side of the Euphrates River led by Syrian forces backed by the Russian air-power from the west and the Kurd dominated SDF from the east.

The US-led coalition and the Russians communicate with each other about offensives against ISIS through a hotline in order to prevent accidental fire against each other.

The spokesperson added that the Syrian forces have so far recaptured 85% of the territory in the Deir ezzor province since the allied forces entered the last IS bastion earlier this month. The allied forces now control a majority of the territory in the whole of the country, after years of battling dozens of militant groups including Al Qaeda and Islamic State.

The Syrian forces, who entered the IS holdouts from the West, have reportedly crossed the Euphrates and are carrying out massive assaults against IS. A significant turnout of the latest operation is expected to come out in the next week, as informed by the Russian defence ministry.

The battle of Deir ezzor is vital for both the sides as the province, rich in oil and natural gas, also lies at a strategic location. Control over Deir ezzor, which is located close to the Syrian-Iraqi frontier, is important for the consolidation of the power, control over interstate highway and prevention of losing vast swathes of desert land for the regrouping of militant outfits.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) also repelled Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in northern Hama province of the country. The attacks of HTS were seen as an attempt to assist militias fighting in Deir ezzor. HTS controls most of the northern Idlib province and is dominated by Jabhat al Fath al-Sham, formerly Al Nusra front and an ally of Al Qaeda.