Islamic State group storms air base in east Syria

Wikipedia photo

BEIRUT — Activists say Islamic State group fighters have stormed parts of a sprawling army air base in eastern Syria after days of clashes that killed dozens.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the latest attack began Saturday with a suicide car bomb attack on the main entrance of the Deir el-Zour air base.

The Islamic State group began a major offensive on the air base, one of the last government-held areas in the province of Deir el-Zour, on Thursday.

Activists who support the Islamic State group posted photos on social media showing two military helicopters that they claimed were captured by the jihadis.

If jihadis capture the base, they could threaten government-held areas in the provincial capital.