Baladi -Media
Syrian regime forces have advanced against the Islamic State group after a wave of militant attacks in the country's central desert region, a monitor and state media said on Wednesday.
In recent weeks, Islamic State militants have carried out several attacks in the Syrian Desert, killing dozens of regime troops and allied fighters.
On Wednesday, regime forces backed by Russian warplanes seized Hmeimeh between the central province of Homs and Deir Ezzor on the eastern border with Iraq, according to AFP.
A Syrian military source quoted by the official SANA news agency confirmed government troops were making progress.
"Army units are continuing their operations against the terrorist organisation Daesh (IS) in the Badiya east of Palmyra," the source said, adding they were in control of a large area on the border with Iraq.
The Islamic State group is estimated to control no more than three percent of Syria's territory.