Syrian army liberates last IS stronghold in eastern Syria

Damascus Nov 9 (IANS) The Syrian army and allied fighters on Wednesday liberated the city of al-Bukamal the last Islamic State (IS) stronghold in eastern Syria pro-government al-Ekhbaria TV reported.

The bomb squads are mopping up the city after defeating IS according to the report.

The victory in al-Bukamal comes hours after the army started storming the city which was the last IS stronghold in that part of the country near the Iraqi border.

Storming the al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province comes after the troops completely besieged the city which is bordering Iraq.

This progress also comes after the Syrian forced and Iraqi troops met at the border the source added.

Al-Bukamal is very important for IS due to its proximity to IS-held areas on the Iraqi side of the border which have recently been stormed by the Iraqi army and allied troops.

After losing it the IS militants have lost all of their strongholds in Syria maintaining just a few pockets in northeastern Syria.

Last month the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces captured the northern city of Raqqa the de facto capital of IS.

This month the Syrian army captured the capital city of Deir al-Zour.

--IANS
ahm/