9 Iranian-backed fighters killed in IS attack in E Syria: report

Nine Iranian-backed fighters were killed by Islamic State (IS) militants who attacked an Iranian military position in eastern Syria on Thursday, a war monitor reported.

The attack occurred in the Jweif area in the desert region of the city of al-Mayadeen in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Two IS militants were also killed during the intense battle as the Iranian-backed fighters sent reinforcements to the area, the report said.

The attack is the latest in the recent IS attacks in the desert region in eastern Syria against the positions of Syrian army and Iranian-backed fighters.

Since March, 1,055 Syrian and pro-government fighters have been killed by IS attacks in the desert, in addition to 586 IS militants, according to the monitor group.

IS militants have lost their control of major areas across Syria but they still have a presence in the desert region in eastern Syria.

 

Source: Xinhua