Islamic State group seizes central Syrian town following clashes with government forces

In this picture released on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 by the Rased News Network a Facebook page affiliated with Islamic State militants, an Islamic State militant holds the group's flag as he stands on a tank they captured from Syrian government forces, in the town of Qaryatain southwest of Palmyra, central Syria. The Islamic State group on Thursday seized a key town in central Syria following heavy clashes with President Bashar Assad's forces, in the militants' biggest advance since capturing the historic town of Palmyra in May, Syrian activists said. (Rased News Network a Facebook page affiliated with Islamic State militants via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this picture released Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 by the Rased News Network a Facebook page affiliated with Islamic State militants, an Islamic State militant sits on a tank they captured from Syrian government forces, in the town of Qaryatain southwest of Palmyra, central Syria. The Islamic State group on Thursday seized a key town in central Syria following heavy clashes with President Bashar Assad's forces, in the militants' biggest advance since capturing the historic town of Palmyra in May, Syrian activists said. (Rased News Network a Facebook page affiliated with Islamic State militants via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this picture released on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 by the Rased News Network a Facebook page affiliated with Islamic State militants, Islamic State militants carry their weapons as they battle against Syrian government forces, in the town of Qaryatain southwest of Palmyra, central Syria. The Islamic State group on Thursday seized a key town in central Syria following heavy clashes with President Bashar Assad's forces, in the militants' biggest advance since capturing the historic town of Palmyra in May, Syrian activists said. (Rased News Network a Facebook page affiliated with Islamic State militants via AP) (The Associated Press)