BEIRUT: Daesh used at least 10 suicide bombers on Friday in a massive attack on Albu Kamal, in which they retook parts of the eastern Syrian town, a monitor said then they withdrew.
At least 25 government and allied fighters were killed in the offensive, one of the extremists' largest this year, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
"It's the biggest attack on Albu Kamal since they lost it" in November 2017, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Observatory.
"IS now controls several parts of the city. Fighting is ongoing in the centre," he added.
Albu Kamal lies on the border with Iraq in Syria's Deir Ezzor province, about 440 kilometres (270 miles) east of the capital Damascus.
The area was the heart of the once sprawling, self-styled "caliphate" Daesh proclaimed in 2014 and its recapture by pro-government forces last year was the final nail in the proto-state's coffin.
Daesh militants withdraw after retaking parts of Syria town in major attack: monitor
Update
![Daesh militants withdraw after retaking parts of Syria town in major attack: monitor]( "Daesh used at least 10 suicide bombers on Friday in a massive attack on Al-Bukamal in which they retook parts of the eastern Syrian town. (AFP)")
Daesh militants withdraw after retaking parts of Syria town in major attack: monitor
- Daesh retook parts of the eastern Syrian town Albu Kamal after a violent attack involving at least 10 suicide bombers.
- Albu Kamal lies on the border with Iraq in Syria's Deir Ezzor province, about 440 kilometres (270 miles) east of the capital Damascus.
