UN resumes airdrops to besieged Syrian city

In this Sunday, Jan. 30, 2017 frame grab from video provided by the government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media, a Syrian forces tank fires on an Islamic State group's position, in Deir al-Zour, north Syria. The World Food Program said Tuesday that it has resumed food airdrops to Deir al-Zour, in eastern Syria, after the Islamic State group renewed its assault on the city two weeks ago. Rebels, al-Qaida linked insurgents, IS militants, and government forces and loyal militias are all skirmishing for control of Syria's southern provinces. Arabic reads, "Central Military Media, Deir al-Zour, Syria." (Syrian Central Military Media, via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this Sunday, Jan. 30, 2017 frame grab from video provided by the government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media, black smoke rises from an airstrike on an Islamic State group's position, in Deir al-Zour, north Syria. The World Food Program said Tuesday that it has resumed food airdrops to Deir al-Zour, in eastern Syria, after the Islamic State group renewed its assault on the city two weeks ago. Rebels, al-Qaida linked insurgents, IS militants, and government forces and loyal militias are all skirmishing for control of Syria's southern provinces. Arabic reads, "Central Military Media, Deir al-Zour, Syria." (Syrian Central Military Media, via AP) (The Associated Press)

BEIRUT – The World Food Program says it has resumed food airdrops to the besieged Syrian city of Deir al-Zour.

The U.N. agency said Tuesday it was using a new drop zone after Islamic State group militants took control of the primary zone two weeks ago.

The extremist group laid siege Deir al-Zour in 2015, trapping Syrian government forces, loyal militias and tens of thousands of civilians.

The siege monitoring group Siege Watch estimates 80,000 people are trapped inside.

Islamic State militants renewed their assault on the city earlier this month, cutting off the airport from the city.