DAMASCUS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied troops on Wednesday started storming the city of al-Bukamal, the last Islamic State (IS) stronghold in eastern Syria, a military source told Xinhua.
Storming the al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province comes after the troops completely besieged the city, which is bordering Iraq, the source said on condition of anonymity.
This progress also comes after the Syrian forces and Iraqi troops met at the border, the source added.
Al-Bukamal is very important for IS due to its proximity to IS-held areas on the Iraqi side of the border, which have recently been stormed by the Iraqi army and allied troops.
After losing it, IS will have lost all of its strongholds in Syria, maintaining just a few pockets in northeastern Syria.
Last month, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces captured the northern city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS.
This month, the Syrian army captured the capital city of Deir al-Zour.
