Syrian war

Syria army takes Aleppo town from IS: military source

Syria's army Sunday seized a key town from the Islamic State group in the east of Aleppo province, a military source said, nearing its goal of expelling the jihadists from the region.

The capture of Maskana, on the western bank of Lake Assad, comes as part of a major Russian-backed military operation that began in mid-January to drive the jihadists from Aleppo province.

"Military units continue to advance in the east of Aleppo province and track down groups of Daesh terrorists," a military source cited by Syrian state media said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"Security and stability has been restored to the strategic town of Maskana and a number of areas," the source added.