48 killed in Homs

BEIRUT: The Islamic State Jihadist group has seized large parts of a strategically located town in central Syria’s Homs province in clashes that killed 48 soldiers and militants, a monitor said on Wednesday.
On the Lebanese-Syrian border, meanwhile, Syrian troops and fighters from Lebanon’s movement Hizbullah captured the highest point in the Qalamun region, a Syrian source on the ground said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Islamic State militants had captured areas of Al-Sukhnah town and its surroundings in Homs province in fighting since Tuesday night.
The town lies on the highway that leads from eastern Deir Ezzor province, an IS stronghold, to the ancient town of Palmyra.
Palmyra is controlled by the regime and home to spectacular Greco-Roman ruins that are listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco.
“The Islamic State managed to advance in Al-Sukhnah and take control of large parts of the town and the surrounding areas,” the Britain-based Observatory said, adding that clashes were continuing on Wednesday.
The group said at least 28 regime forces — soldiers and pro-government militants — and 20 IS fighters had been killed in the battles.
More than 100 fighters from the two sides were wounded, the monitor said. Control of Homs province is divided.