SYRIAN army units and allied forces stepped up their drive against Isis in central Syria yesterday, advancing north from Homs province to the southern countryside of Raqqa.

Led by its elite force, the Syrian army advanced from the recently liberated al-Kadeer region towards the Bakhiran area on the Raqqa-Homs border.

Unable to hold their ground, Isis fighters withdrew from Bakhiran and nearby al-Areeka and al-Uthmaniyah, leaving this large desert region to the advancing pro-government forces.