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Syria rebels battle ISIS for control of Iraq crossing Syria rebels battle ISIS for control of Iraq crossing
(about 7 hours later)
BEIRUT — Syrian insurgents were battling the Islamic State group for control of a key border post with Iraq on Saturday, a day after the U.S.-backed fighters seized the crossing, activists said.BEIRUT — Syrian insurgents were battling the Islamic State group for control of a key border post with Iraq on Saturday, a day after the U.S.-backed fighters seized the crossing, activists said.
The Tanf crossing in southeastern Syria links the Homs province, including the Islamic State-held ancient city of Palmyra, to Iraq’s Anbar province, where the extremist group has a large presence. The Islamic State uses border crossings to shift fighters and resources to different fronts as it seeks to defend and expand its self-styled Islamic caliphate. The Tanf crossing in southeastern Syria links Homs province, including the Islamic State-held ancient city of Palmyra, to Iraq’s Anbar province, where the extremist group has a large presence. The Islamic State uses border crossings to shift fighters and resources to different fronts as it seeks to defend and expand its self-styled Islamic caliphate.
While the group has had recent setbacks, it still controls large swaths of Syria and Iraq, including Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul. It has also carried out a number of large bombings in Iraq over the past week that have killed dozens of people.While the group has had recent setbacks, it still controls large swaths of Syria and Iraq, including Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul. It has also carried out a number of large bombings in Iraq over the past week that have killed dozens of people.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on activists inside Syria, said the Islamic State recaptured the Tanf crossing, but the Homs Media Center, another opposition outlet, said clashes were still underway.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on activists inside Syria, said the Islamic State recaptured the Tanf crossing, but the Homs Media Center, another opposition outlet, said clashes were still underway.
The fighting began Friday when U.S.-backed fighters from the Free Syrian Army’s Southern Front routed Islamic State fighters at the border, killing one and wounding several others, according to the Local Coordination Committees, an opposition network in Syria.The fighting began Friday when U.S.-backed fighters from the Free Syrian Army’s Southern Front routed Islamic State fighters at the border, killing one and wounding several others, according to the Local Coordination Committees, an opposition network in Syria.
The Observatory said the FSA fighters crossed into Syria from Jordan to launch the attack, and were supported by airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition.The Observatory said the FSA fighters crossed into Syria from Jordan to launch the attack, and were supported by airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition.
The Islamic State-affiliated Aamaq News Agency denied the crossing was captured.The Islamic State-affiliated Aamaq News Agency denied the crossing was captured.
Meanwhile, Islamic State fighters attacked the Syrian government’s supply route to the contested northern city of Aleppo, killing 15 soldiers, the Observatory said. Government forces repelled the attack and secured the road, according to the Observatory and SANA, the Syrian state news agency.Meanwhile, Islamic State fighters attacked the Syrian government’s supply route to the contested northern city of Aleppo, killing 15 soldiers, the Observatory said. Government forces repelled the attack and secured the road, according to the Observatory and SANA, the Syrian state news agency.
— Associated Press— Associated Press