Syrian troops, Turkey-backed forces surround IS stronghold

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian pro-government forces advanced Monday toward al-Bab, completing the encirclement of the Islamic State-held town which had been partially besieged by Turkey-backed opposition forces, state media and an activist group said.

The Observatory, which relies on a network of activists inside Syria, said the Syrian troops were backed by Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to bolster Assad's forces.

The Qasioun news agency, run by local activists, said Monday that Turkish troops and their allies launched a new offensive in an attempt to retake the town.