Syrian army takes town from Islamic State in Homs

BEIRUT – The Syrian army and allied forces recaptured a town from Islamic State on Saturday in central Homs province, where the jihadists have lost vast territory in recent months, state media said.

Syrian troops regained control of al-Qaraytan "after eliminating terrorist Daesh groups that had infiltrated it," state TV said using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

Earlier this month, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Islamic State fighters had seized the town from government forces, part of a counter-attack by the jihadists who have come under intense pressure in eastern Syria.