DAMASCUS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters have captured 44 towns and villages in central and eastern Syria from Islamic State (IS) militants since Sept. 10, state news agency SANA reported on Saturday.
The military progress has taken place in the countryside of Deir al-Zour Province in eastern Syria, the northern province of Raqqa and the central province of Hama, said SANA.
Hundreds of IS militants, including Tunisians, Iraqis and Saudis, were killed during the operations which also destroyed 19 IS command centers.
IS militants are also collapsing in the eastern countryside of Homs Province in central Syria, a military source said on condition of anonymity.
The operations in Homs, Raqqa, Hama and Deir al-Zour are part of a large-scale offensive to eradicate IS militants in key areas across Syria.
