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The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Saturday made major gains in Syria by conquering most of a refugee enclave near Damascus.

Reuters reported the radical group now controls 90 percent of the camp in Yarmouk. ISIS is now knocking at the doors of Syrian President Bashar Assad, only miles away in Syria’s capital.

The United Nations estimates approximately 18,000 civilians find themselves trapped between Assad’s forces and ISIS militias. Britain’s Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added Syrian jets had bombed ISIS positions near the camp Saturday.

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Tens of Houthi militants were killed, injured and arrested in fierce clashes between them and pro-government tribes in southeastern Yemen, sources in Shabwa said on Sunday.

The battles broke out in the Beihan town where Houthi militants backed by dissident forces loyal to ex-president deployed in the past few days, they said.

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Foreign troops of unknown nationality are disembarking at the Yemeni port of Aden, port authorities and witnesses told Reuters. The task force is said to number ‘dozens’.

Saudi Arabian forces, joined by nine other countries, launched a military operation in Yemen against Shiite Houthi rebels in March.

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Islamic State militants have reportedly taken over large parts of a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus on Wednesday, and are fighting with a group inside the camp.

This is the deepest incursion yet by ISIS militants into the Syrian capital. If they gain control of the Yarmouk camp, they can threaten President Bashar Assad’s seat of power.

“Fighters from ISIS launched an assault this morning on Yarmouk and they took over the majority of the camp,” said Anwar Abdel Hadi, director of political affairs for the Palestine Liberation Organization in Damascus.

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Iraq hailed its biggest military victory over Islamic State, with Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi saying security forces had advanced to the center of Tikrit after weeks of deadly battles.

Abadi announced “the liberation of Tikrit” and offered congratulations “on this historic milestone” on his official Twitter account. Iraqi state television showed images of the national flag and jubilant residents.

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