Syrian government forces celebrate in the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zour on September 11, 2017 as they continue to press forward with Russian air cover in the offensive against Islamic State group jihadists across the province. (AFP Photo)

MOSCOW, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government troops, supported by Russian warplanes, have crossed the Euphrates River near Syria's eastern city of Deir al-Zour, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

The Syrian army has driven Islamic State (IS) militants from a number of villages on the eastern bank of the Euphrates and launched an offensive in the eastern direction, a ministry statement said.

The Syrian government forces are now carrying out a rapid attack against terrorists in the vicinity of Deir al-Zour, the last major IS stronghold in Syria, according to the ministry.

Earlier this month, the Russia-backed Syrian army broke the IS siege of Deir al-Zour, which had been held by the terrorist group for three years.