Syria Army captures western towns from IS

Syrian government forces are reported to have gained ground from Islamic State (IS) in the west of the country. State media and activists said troops, backed by Russian air strikes, had seized the towns of Mahin and Hawwarin. They lie to the east of a strategically important motorway connecting Damascus with major cities to the […]

Syrian government forces are reported to have gained ground from Islamic State (IS) in the west of the country.
State media and activists said troops, backed by Russian air strikes, had seized the towns of Mahin and Hawwarin.
They lie to the east of a strategically important motorway connecting Damascus with major cities to the north.
A military source said a large number of IS militants had been killed and that soldiers were dismantling bombs planted on roads, in farmland and homes.