Islamic State group retakes Syrian town in north from rebels

In this photo taken Friday, April 8, 2016 and provided by Russian Defense Ministry press service, a Russian serviceman checks for mines in Palmyra, Syria. Russian combat engineers arrived in Syria on a mission to clear mines in the ancient town of Palmyra, which has been recaptured from Islamic State militants in an offensive that has proven Russia’s military might in Syria despite a drawdown of its warplanes. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

BEIRUT – Syrian activists say Islamic State fighters have retaken a northern town along Syria's border with Turkey just days after losing it to rebel forces and allied militants.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Aleppo Today TV station say the IS extremists captured al-Rai early on Monday morning after intense fighting for the frontier town.

Al-Rai is strategically located on the border with Turkey, serving as the Islamic State group's access point to supply lines. It also sits along the road to the IS stronghold in Aleppo province.

IS lost the town on Thursday after an offensive by rebels and militant groups allied with them, including al-Qaida's branch in Syria known as the Nusra Front.