Islamic State ‘completely besieged in Al-Bab’
Human rights body confirms IS is surrounded after forces loyal to Syria’s regime cut off a road into the jihadists’ last major stronghold in Aleppo province
Beirut — The Islamic State (IS) group was "completely besieged" in Al-Bab after forces loyal to Syria’s regime cut off a road into the jihadists’ last major stronghold in Aleppo province, a monitor said Monday. "Al-Bab is now completely besieged by the regime from the south, and the Turkish forces and rebels from the east, north and west," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It came after "the regime’s forces and allied militia seized the only and last main road used by the jihadists between Al-Bab and Raqa," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said, referring to the jihadists’ de facto capital in Syria. Regime forces were backed by fighters from Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and by Russian artillery, said the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources on the ground for its reports. The town of Al-Bab, 25km south of the border with Turkey, is seen as a prize by nearly all sides in the complex war. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.