Syrian army recaptures strategic town from IS

Syrian army retook a strategic central town from the Islamic State (IS) group, after the group managed to capture it several times over the recent months, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported on Tuesday.

Military forces succeeded in recapturing the key town of Mahin and its surrounding hills, as well as its weapon depots in the countryside of the central province of Homs, according to the report.

The army units also captured the nearby town of Hawarin.

Mahin, located in the southeastern countryside of Homs, is crucial for the IS group and the government troops due to its strategic location near the international road, which is the main lifeline of the Syrian troops between the capital Damascus in the south, Homs and the northern region.

On Dec. 10, IS stormed the town, just a month after the Syrian army managed to take it from the IS hands.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian army captured Brigade 82 military base in the southern province of Daraa, pushing forward toward the strategic city of Sheikh Miskin near the Jordanian borders.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based watchdog group, said the Syrian air force carried out over 80 air strikes on Sheikh Miskin since Monday, adding that the capture of Brigade 82 has enabled the Syrian forces to expose the northern part of city.

It said the military forces are working to capture the city, which constitutes a supply line for the rebels who are operating in Daraa, the birthplace of Syria's nearly five-year old conflict. Endit