Syria forces attack Islamic State enclave

DAMASCUS – Syrian government and Russian f orces are r eportedly attacking an enclave held by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) in south-western Syria.

Activists and a monitoring group said aircraft were bombing the Yarmouk Basin area, which borders Jordan and the Israeli- occupied Golan Heights.

The militants are said to have counter-attacked, targeting nearby villages.

The fighting comes after the government recaptured most of the surrounding province of Deraa from rebel factions.

Rebel commanders agreed l ast week t o surrender t heir heavy weapons a n d b e g i n handing over towns as part of a Russian-brokered agreement.

REUTERS Syrian government forces have retaken much of Deraa province in the past three weeks.