Syrian army declares capturing last IS stronghold in E. Syria
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E-mail Xinhua, November 9, 2017
The Syrian army officially declared capturing the city of al-Bukamal, the last Islamic State (IS) stronghold in eastern Syria near Iraq.
In a statement, the army said it is still haunting down the remnants of the IS militants who fled in "several directions," following the military capture of al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour on the border with Iraq.
The bomb squads are mopping up the city in search of explosive devices, the statement said, adding that the IS has suffered major losses in the city.
Capturing al-Bukamal means the collapse of the terror group's project in Syria and the scheme of its backers to divide Syria, the statement said.
The pro-government media outlets declared the liberation of al-Bukamal on Wednesday after the troops stormed it with the help of allied fighters and Russian airstrikes.
This progress also comes after the Syrian forces and Iraqi troops met at the border, the source added.
Al-Bukamal is very important for IS due to its proximity to IS-held areas on the Iraqi side of the border, which have recently been stormed by the Iraqi army and allied troops.
After losing it, the IS militants have lost all of their strongholds in Syria, maintaining just a few pockets in northeastern Syria.
Last month, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces captured the northern city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS.
This month, the Syrian army captured the capital city of Deir al-Zour.
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