BEIRUT: The militant Islamic State group seized parts of a key town on the Syrian-Iraqi border on Friday in a massive operation that further confirmed the militants remain a force on the ground.

IS used at least 10 suicide bombers in its offensive on Albu Kamal, which lies in he Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria and swiftly took several neighbourhoods, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The offensive is the latest in a string of IS attacks which confirm predictions that the militant organisation would continue to be a threat even after the collapse of its “caliphate” last year.

At least 25 government and allied fighters were killed in the operation, one of the militants’ largest this year, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Observatory.

“It’s the biggest attack on Albu Kamal since they lost it” in November 2017, he said.

“IS now controls several parts of the city. Fighting is ongoing in the centre,” he said, adding that at least 18 militants, including the suicide attackers, were also killed.

According to the Observatory, the militant organisation that once ruled a self-proclaimed state roughly the size of Britain now holds less than three percent of Syrian territory.

Suspected Russian strikes kill 44 civilians

Air strikes thought to have been carried out by Russian jets on a rebel-held residential area in northwestern Syria have killed 44 civilians, a Britain-based monitor said on Friday.

Six children were among those killed when the strikes hit the Zardana area of Idlib province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...