Syrian army declares capturing last IS stronghold in eastern Syria

Syrian army soldiers hold a Syrian flag and flash victory signs near the city of al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province, Syria, on Nov. 9, 2017. The Syrian army captured al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province on Wednesday and officially declared its victory on Thursday. The Islamic State (IS) clawed back over 40 percent of the city of al-Bukamal, the last IS stronghold that has been recently captured by the Syrian government forces, a monitor group reported on Friday. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)