Islamic State group seizes central Syrian town
BEIRUT - The Islamic State group on Thursday seized a key town in central Syria following heavy clashes with President Bashar Assad's forces, in the militants' biggest advance since capturing the historic town of Palmyra in May, Syrian activists said.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the IS group seized the town Thursday after three suicide bombers targeted army checkpoints at the entrance the day before, setting off a fierce battle.
Websites affiliated with the Islamic State group confirmed the militants had taken over Qaryatain. A Facebook page through which the IS posts news of its military activities carried photos that purported to show the fighting to "liberate" the town, including a tank allegedly seized from the Syrian army.
