WEB DESK

Syria and Iraq have taken control of Islamic State terror group’s two strongholds in their countries.  Syria’s army announced yesterday that it has taken Deir al-Zour. Later in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, al-Qaim, across the border, had been recaptured by government forces.

Iraqi forces said, they have also seized the last border post between Iraq and Syria that was held by the terror group.

Last month, a US-backed Syrian alliance took control of Raqqa in Syria, the former capital of Islamic State’s self-styled caliphate.

In July, Mosul – Iraq’s second-largest city – was taken from IS after months of fighting.