Russia says airstrike kill 4 IS leaders in Syria
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Russia's Ministry of Defense says it has killed four Islamic State group leaders in an airstrike outside the eastern Syria city of Deir el-Zour.
Russian news agencies on Friday quoted a defense ministry statement as saying its intelligence showed the airstrike killed 40 militants. Among them, according to the reports, were militant leaders Abu Muhammad al-Shimali and Gulmurod Khalimov.
Al-Shimaali reportedly headed the movement of foreign fighters into Syria and processed the group's new recruits.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Heavy clashes are taking place between Syrian government forces and the Islamic State group around the city as militants fight back to reinstate a years-long siege of the city.
President Bashar Assad's troops on Tuesday broke the nearly three-year militant blockade of parts of the city, marking a significant advance against the extremists.