IS Captures New Areas in E. Syria

BEIRUT (AP) -- Opposition activists say Islamic State fighters have captured new areas near the eastern Syrian city of Deir el-Zour.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the militants captured areas just north of the city on Monday, including an army base and an arms depot in the village of Ayash.

Another opposition activist, Omar Abu Leila, says IS fighters captured Ayash, which is just north of another town that IS captured over the weekend.

IS controls most of Deir el-Zour province and much of the capital with the same name, while the government controls several districts in the northern part of the city and the adjacent military airport.

Syria's government said Sunday that IS killed 300 people in an "appalling massacre" in the city of Deir el-Zour over the weekend.

(KA)