ISIS terrorist group takes control of Damascus area after rebels pull out

Thirty-six pro-government troops were killed in a district of Syria’s capital as ISIL fighters took control of it in a surprise attack overnight, a Britain-based monitor said on Tuesday.

“ISIL took full control of Qadam, and 36 government troops and loyalist fighters have been killed,” said the Syrian Obserbatory for Human Rights, which could not provide casualty figures for the extremist group.

There was no immediate comment from the government.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said that dozens more of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s forces were wounded or captured, or are still missing in action.

He added that ISIL launched the attack from positions it holds in the adjacent Hajar Al Aswad district.

“Regime forces are bringing reinforcements to the area around Qadam to try to retake it,” Mr Abdel Rahman told AFP.

Source: The National