Syrian troops seize high ground near ISIS
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Syrian activists and Iranian state TV say Syrian troops and allied forces have seized a strategic mountain overlooking Deir el-Zour province, which is mostly controlled by Islamic State militants.
Syrian government forces control part of the provincial capital of the same name and its airport, but have been besieged by IS for years.
Russia, which is providing air support to Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces, says capturing the oil-rich Deir el-Zour province is the current military priority. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the advancing forces gained control of the Bishri Mountains on Thursday. Iran's state-run Al-Alam TV also reported the advance.
