The fighters who overthrew al-Assad claim to control the Syrian city of Deir Az Zor | Syrian War News

Commander Hassan Abdul Ghani said the city and its airport had been completely 'liberated'.

Syrian fighters who ousted former President Bashar al-Assad say they have taken full control of the eastern city of Deir Az Zor, after battling Kurdish-led forces who briefly held out after pro-government forces fled.

Army commander Hassan Abdul Ghani, spokesman for the advancing forces, announced the capture of Deir Az Zor in a telegram post saying the city and its military airport had been “liberated”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ghani said the army “continues to advance in the areas and towns of Deir Az Zor”.

The capture is the latest in a series of victories by a coalition of opposition forces that have seized several cities – including the capital, Damascus – during an 11-day offensive.

On Sunday, al-Assad fled the country after rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS), besieged Damascus.

Al-Assad's Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali has agreed to hand over power to the HTS-led interim government, led by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the city of Deir Az Zor for several days after the Syrian government forces, which had been controlling its territory, withdrew.

The SDF still controls parts of the governorate's east, across the Euphrates River, where coalition fighters say they are advancing.

The battle for positions in Deir Az Zor, which was a critical battleground in the fight against ISIL (ISIS) from 2014-2017, comes after rebel forces retook power from Kurdish-led forces in the northern city of Manbij.

On Wednesday, the SDF confirmed that the United States, which supports the group, has signed a ceasefire agreement between it and the Turkish National Army (SNA)-backed group there.

Under the deal, which aims to ensure the protection of civilians, the Kurdish-led SDF agreed to “withdraw from the area as soon as possible”, said commander Mazloum Abdi, also known as Mazloum Kobani.