Army advances against Islamic State east of Aleppo

November 28, 2015 4:00 PM

The highway mentioned in the report runs southeast from Akula to the west of the Euphrates river. The road passes through Islamic State-held Tabqa on its way to Raqqa, which is 150 km (90 miles) from Akula.

A man drives a motorcycle near a site hit by what residents said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Darat Izza, in Aleppo province, Syria October 13, 2015.

he Syrian army captured territory from Islamic State east of Aleppo including several kilometres (miles) of highway linking the city with the jihadists' de facto capital of Raqqa, Syrian state TV reported on Saturday.

Recommended articles

local Inside story of how Ghana’s new train got involved in accident on a test run

The areas reported captured are east of the Kweires, air base seized from Islamic State control on Nov. 10 in one of several offensives being waged by the Syrian army with support from Russian air strikes, Iranian forces, and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters.

Reuters could not independently confirm the report.

A headline flashed on state TV said the army had captured the two villages of Kaskis and Akula and wide areas of agricultural land, seizing tunnels and fortifications built by the jihadists, and were demining areas mined by the group.

The villages are about 60 km (40 miles) east of Aleppo.

The Syrian government and its allies have also made gains against Islamic State to the southeast of Homs.

They are also waging offensives against non-Islamic State insurgents in western regions of Syria, gaining ground in the northwestern province of Latakia and to the south of Aleppo, while losing territory in Hama province.

Gbenga Bada

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!