Syria: Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) jihadists seize parts of army base in Raqa province
Jihadists from the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS or ISIL) have seized parts of a military base in Syria’s Raqa province in an assault that left dozens dead, a rights group said Thursday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the extremist group, which calls itself the Islamic State, was engaged in heavy fighting with troops at Brigade 93 in Raqa, where it already controls the regional capital and significant amounts of territory.
The Observatory said that at least 27 Syrian troops had been killed, along with 11 jihadists. Three militants launched the assault by blowing themselves up at the entrance to the base on Wednesday night.
The Observatory said the militants “were in control of large parts of the base”.