An Islamic State group advance spearheaded by a suicide bomber on a Government-held enclave in eastern Syria killed at least 19 Government troops and militia, a monitoring group said on Thursday.
The overnight bombing struck a Government position near Deir Ezzor military airport, a vital supply line for the besieged troops holding out in the eastern city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.In ensuing fighting, the jehadi captured several Government positions in the area and lost at least seven of their own fighters, the Britain-based group said.They also seized two tanks, an armoured vehicle, artillery and heavy machine guns from the positions they overran, it added.