IS loses last stronghold in 'fire pit' Aleppo

The Syrian army and Hezbollah fighters today, June 4, regained control of the town of Maskanah, the last stronghold of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Aleppo, Syria.

(Illustration: Aljazeera)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on June 4 that the Syrian army, along with Hezbollah fighters, entered the town of Maskanah in Aleppo province.

According to the Human Rights Watch, IS militants and their families withdrew from Maskanah before the army cut the road between the town and the northern province of Raqqa and took full control of the town.

After entering Maskanah early this morning, the Syrian army conducted a search for explosives and bombs in case IS could replant them before withdrawing.

The recapture of Maskanah is the latest in a string of victories by the Syrian army and its allies to end the IS presence in Aleppo, paving the way for the army to advance on Raqqa.

According to Dan Tri