Moscow - Syrian government troops, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, continue to encircle IS terrorist group near Akerbat settlement in Hama province, Sputnik reported Saturday quoting a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry. Militants from the IS terror group have been pulling armored vehicles and munitions to the Syrian city of Deir Ez-Zor, the Russian Defense Ministry added. "IS militants are not giving up their efforts to halt the advance of Syrian troops by moving armored vehicles, off-road vehicles with mounted heavy machine guns, arms and ammunition to the Deir Ez-Zor area and by setting up new positions reinforced with artillery systems and mortars," the statement read.