Syrian Army Kills Over 30 Islamic State Militants in Northeastern Syria

Syrian government troops killed more than 30 militants from the Islamic State (IS) in the city of Deir ez-Zor in northeastern Syria.

BEIRUT, January 9 (Sputnik) — Syrian government troops have eliminated more than 30 militants from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in the city of Deir ez-Zor in northeastern Syria, SANA news agency reported Friday.

The Syrian Army has conducted military operations in several districts of Deir ez-Zor and its suburbs preventing the rebels from capturing new territories. The fighting took place in six surrounding villages, according to the Arab newspaper Alahednews. Two IS boats were destroyed on the Euphrates river not far from the city.

Meanwhile, 18 miles away from the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra Sunni terrorist group have been assaulting the cities of Noble and Al-Zahra, mostly populated by Shia Muslims, for five days. Syrian Air Forces are supporting the army in the operation.

The latest massive attack on Noble and Al-Zahra was conducted in November 2014. Hundreds of Jabhat al-Nusra militants laid siege to the cities for a week. The assault failed due to Kurdish militia helping the defenders of the city.

The civil war in Syria started in 2011. Government troops loyal to President Bashar Assad have been fighting various groups including several jihadist ones. IS began fighting the Syrian government in 2012.

According to UN data, about 15,000 people from some 80 countries have traveled to Syria to join the terrorists since the conflict broke out.