Syrian army, allies close in on Islamic State in Deir ez-Zor

BEIRUT – Syrian troops seized a suburb of the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor on Sunday, tightening the noose around Islamic State militants, a military source said.

The Syrian army and allied forces captured the al-Jafra district at the edge of Deir ez-Zor city on the western bank of the Euphrates, the Syrian military source said. Islamic State militants could only escape by crossing the river.

"They have no outlet except crossing the Euphrates towards the eastern bank and fleeing towards the desert, or (the towns of) al-Bukamal and al-Mayadin," the source said.