Key Syrian town Maheen falls to Islamic State: Monitor

Another Syrian town in Homs province fell to Islamic State fighters after they attacked government forces in the area.

Another Syrian town in Homs province fell to Islamic State fighters after they attacked government forces in the area, a monitoring group and a statement released by jihadists said.

Islamic State fighters took control Maheen in an attack that killed and wounded at least 50 fighters on the government side. (File Photo: AP)

Islamic State fighters took control Maheen in an attack that killed and wounded at least 50 fighters on the government side and brought Islamic State to within 20 kilometres (13 miles) of the main highway that links Damascus to Homs and cities further north, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Clashes also raged on the outskirts of Sadad, a nearby town mostly inhabited by Christians, as Islamic State fighters pressed their advance, the Observatory said.