Jihadists from the Islamic State group have killed at least 19 pro-government fighters in a spate of attacks in eastern Syria, a monitoring group said today. IS has largely been defeated since storming across the region in 2014, but still clings to pockets of territory in eastern Syria and maintains the ability to launch deadly attacks. The Observatory says the group now holds less than five percent of territory in Syria, mainly pockets in the deserts of eastern and central regions. But the group managed to launch a surprise strike in the capital Damascus last month that saw them capture the Qadam district. The Observatory said the death toll among pro-regime fighters in the strike had risen to 116 after more bodies were discovered in the rubble.

Source: dna April 02, 2018 04:22 UTC