The Islamic State took over the military airport in Al Tabaqa, the last regime stronghold in the province, after battles in which 346 IS fighters and 170 regime soldiers have been killed and another 150 regime troops likely taken captive. Warplanes were towed from the base to the Syrian Badeya and to the Deir Ezzor military airport. The IS also clashed with regime forces in Deir Izzour, where it blew up the houses of Shaitaat tribesmen; and in Homs, where the IS handed over a headquarters in the northern countryside to the Al Nusrah Front. The IS also battled the Islamic Front, Al Nusrah, and the Al Akrad Front in Aleppo. Al Nusrah and the Islamic Front clashed with regime forces in Aleppo and Hama. Al Nusrah also fought regime forces in Reef Dimashq. The Islamic Front also clashed with regime forces in Damascus, Reef Dimashq, Homs, and in Deraa, where regime forces ambushed and killed a number of IF fighters. The Al Nusrah Front released US journalist Peter Theo Curtis, who had been held hostage for nearly two years after being abducted in Antykya, Turkey.
Bill Roggio is a regular guest on the John Batchelor Show from Monday through Friday to discuss the war. Check John's site for the time. Click here to listen live online at WABC.
