Syrian rebels re-open key supply route after ousting IS

Syrian rebels oust the Islamic State group from two villages near the Turkish border on Wednesday, re-opening a key supply route for opposition forces in northern Aleppo, a monitor says.

IS had captured several villages between the rebel-held northern towns of Marea and Azaz on May 27, cutting off rebel forces in Marea from their supply line with Turkey and forcing thousands to flee.

But on Wednesday morning rebels including several Islamist groups launch simultaneous attacks from the two towns to squeeze IS fighters out, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

IS “did not fight hard, but rather withdrew, as they are facing attacks on numerous fronts in northern Syria,” says Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

— AFP