BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:00 P.M.) – Last night, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) came under a heavy attack by the Islamic State (ISIL) that threatened the southern entrance of Deir Ezzor City.

Within hours of launching the assault, ISIL managed to capture the Panorama School and several points around this site after overrunning the Syrian Army’s front-lines.

As ISIL began the large hilltop of Tal Umm Abboud, the Russian Air Force unleashed a large number of airstrikes across the Thardeh Mountains and Al-Thayyem Valley, killing and wounding several terrorist combatants.

Unable to fortify their positions at Tal Umm Abboud, the Islamic State militants were forced to withdraw from the hilltop earlier this morning.

The Syrian Arab Army is now attempting to recover the territory they lost, including the Panorama School and its corresponding points.