Russian General Surveils Liberated Syrian City of Mayadin After Terrorist Rout
And now in Syria, terrorists, figuratively speaking, were driven into an open field. Not a single more-or-less large settlement is left under their control, so there's nowhere to gain a foothold. The last stronghold is Mayadin, a city of 60,000, near Deir ez-Zor. It was defended by the more capable group of fanatics with help of those who fled from Raqqa. But they still had to hand Mayadin over.
Now the Syrian government army is there. And the situation is quite different than in Raqqa. It's a big difference. Our special correspondent Grigory Vdovin reporting from the liberated Mayadin.
Mayadin, Syria. We fly to General Sukhel in helicopters, we leave for the city, the battle for which was the loudest Syrian army's victory in recent times. And there's the famous arch at the entrance to Deir ez-Zor. But our road goes further. This is Mayadin. We come to the central square.
This is the very center of Mayadin. The Syrian flag on the fountain shows that the city is liberated. This was the last major settlement that was controlled by terrorists, and the last version of their proclaimed capital. There are no civilians here right now, the front line is still 2 kilometers away.
Now Mayadin reminds of a post-apocalyptic scene. A Syrian bomber flies almost touching the roofs of houses, dropping its load on terrorist position on the outskirts. The city is froze in anticipation of its future fate, it's difficult to imagine that 60,000 people once lived here.
We are going to the forefront, an advanced command post located not far from Mayadin fortress.
Sergei Surovikin, Commander of the Russian Forces in Syria: «The assignment is to come to road intersection between settlements Western Shamp, and even Tegedet. The depth of the assignment, up to 5 km. Right now all conditions for the assignment, to assault the groups are ready. A powerful artillery strike was carried out».
General Sukhel personally manages the artillery preparation. From here the valley, where the further offensive is unfolding, is perfectly visible. The firepower that the Syrian artillery inflicts on the militants with Russian aviation support does not give them any options, and they continue to retreat.
General Sukhel tells about the fight for Mayadin. He was helped by military cunning, his troops appeared where they were not expected at all. By the shortest path Sukhel's army went around Mayadin from the mountain side and then continued the offensive in the opposite direction, along the river in the direction of the already liberated at the time Deir ez-Zor.
Sukhel Al-Hasan: «On the eastern bank of the Euphrates, we can now destroy any enemy troops using these means. According to the war plan, we begin the next operation».
The heroic garrison of Deir ez-Zor suffered losses this week: the legendary head of the city's defenses stepped on a mine while inspecting positions, the inspiration and soul of its long-standing defense, General Issam Zakhreddin. He was nicknamed "the Syrian rock," on which the terrorists broke their teeth, but couldn't move, so firmly he held on to this land and inspired the garrison with his charisma.
He became a legend even during his lifetime and died, after completing his main task, and has now instantly moved to the pantheon of Syrian heroes. His last footage: Zakhreddin, as always, cheerful, ready, and joking about something with his fighters.
With General Sukhel and Surovikin we move to the headquarters of the Euphrates group. All operations are planned from here, aiming artillery, rapid fire systems, aviation, both Syrian and Russian.
Sergei Surovikin, Commander of the Russian Forces in Syria: «The command is transferred to those attack options, which is chosen as the most optimal for the enemy's liquidation in the shortest possible time, after which we observe the strike on the object, and we can correct the fire. All these objectives are carried out with Russian Aerospace Force support in Meimim. General Sukchel also uses his own aircraft, of the Syrian Armed Forces He uses it very efficiently, which can be judged by the pace of his progress».
General Sukhel talks about the offensive of his troops in the capture of the Mayadin. The work of the command post is well organized. The Syrian coordinators speak Russian very well, since they have completed Russian military schools.
The commander of the Russian group in Syria was pleased with the visit, General Sukhel successfully and quickly continues to liberate his country from a terrorist plague.
Grigory Vdovin, Andrey Stiforov, and Oleg Solovyev. From Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor province, Syria — Vesti, news of the week.