Fierce battles between Syrian regime forces and the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group in eastern Syria have left 34 fighters dead in 24 hours, a monitor said Friday.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 19 pro-government forces and 15 ISIS fighters had been killed since clashes began late Wednesday in the city of Deir Ezzor and around its nearby military airport, reports AFP.
The head of aerial defense at the airport - one of the few areas left in regime hands in Deir Ezzor province - was killed in the fighting, the Observatory said.
Four government soldiers were beheaded by ISIS Thursday as the jihadists seized a key checkpoint in the city near the air base. (READ MORE)
