Syrian army foils attacks in Aleppo, Deir al-Zour provinces

The Syrian army foiled two wide scale offensives unleashed by ultra-radical groups on military bases in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour and the northern province of Aleppo on Monday, state news agency SANA reported.

In Deir al-Zour, the Syrian forces thwarted an attack by Islamic State (IS) militant group on the Deir al-Zour airbase, said SANA, adding that the IS assailants unleashed their attacks from the towns of Jafra and Muraiyeh in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour.

The military forces destroyed two explosive-laden vehicles before approaching the airbase, said SANA, adding that the IS has lost many fighters in the confrontation that has ensued attack.

Other reports said Syrian warplanes heavily struck the IS group near the airbase which has been subject to repetitive attacks by the IS, who failed to storm it.

In the northern province of Aleppo, the Syrian army clashed with a group of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, which attempted to attack military bases in the countryside of Aleppo, said SANA.

It added that the army forces foiled the attack, which was unleashed by 400 militants with Nusra and likeminded groups.

SANA said eight civilians were killed on Monday by a fresh mortar attack on residential areas in the government-controlled districts of Aleppo.

The General Command of the Syrian army issued a statement, threatening to strike with "an iron fist" all those who will attack civilians and military positions.

Both the Nusra Front and the IS are designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations and were excluded from a truce that has been in place since March. Endit