US-Backed Fighters Retake IS-Held Areas

BEIRUT (AP) -- U.S.-backed Syrian fighters have captured more territory from the Islamic State group in the northern town of Tabqa.

Tabqa is 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the Islamic State group's de facto capital, Raqqa, and an important stronghold for the militants.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Monday its fighters captured three more neighborhoods in Tabqa, which is next to one of Syria's largest dams on the Euphrates River.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS fighters withdrew from the Thawra City neighborhood and are now gathered in two neighborhoods near the dam.

Brig. Gen. Hussam al-Awwak, an Arab who heads public relations at SDF, predicted his group would be in full control of the town within hours.

(KA)