ISIS captures a town deep in Assad-controlled territory as Syrian forces battle for Deir ez-Zor
The terrorist group, Islamic State took control of the city of Al Qaryatayn in the territory under control of the Syrian government forces, reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Local journalists have confirmed this information.
It is noted that the city, captured by the ISIS terrorists, is deep within government held territory, southwest of Palmyra.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the so-called "sleeping cell" of Islamists operated in this city.
The capture of the city coincides with a major offensive by jihadists on the positions of the Syrian government forces just south of the city of Deir ez-Zor.
According to unconfirmed reports, the government forces managed to retake the city this morning by pulling significant reinforcements to the area.