Houses destroyed by fighting between Syrian Democratic Forces and Islamic State militants are pictured in Raqqa's old city in Syria on Thursday. On Sunday, Syria's army and its allies were said to have encircled Islamic State in the city of al-Mayadin, southeast of Deir al-Zor. (Reuters photo)BEIRUT: Syria's army and its allies have encircled Islamic State in the city of al-Mayadin, southeast of Deir al-Zor, in eastern Syria, a Syrian military source said on Sunday. The army and its allies reached Deir al-Zor in September after a months-long offensive across the Syria desert, and have in recent weeks pushed down the Euphrates towards al-Mayadin. US officials have previously said that Islamic State had relocated some of its diminished command and propaganda structures to al-Mayadin as it was forced from territory elsewhere.

Source: Bangkok Post October 08, 2017 07:52 UTC