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US-backed fighters retake more areas from IS in Syrian town

Associated Press
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This Sunday, April 30, 2017 photo provided by the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), shows a fighter from the SDF carrying weapons as he looks toward the northern town of Tabqa, Syria. U.S.-backed opposition fighters led by Syrian Kurdish forces captured more territory from the Islamic State group in the northern town of Tabqa on Monday, pushing the extremists to northern neighborhoods, close to one of Syria's largest dams. (Syrian Democratic Forces, via AP) (The Associated Press)

This Sunday, April 30, 2017 photo provided by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), shows fighters from the SDF looking toward the northern town of Tabqa, Syria. U.S.-backed opposition fighters led by Syrian Kurdish forces captured more territory from the Islamic State group in the northern town of Tabqa on Monday, pushing the extremists to northern neighborhoods, close to one of Syria's largest dams. (Syrian Democratic Forces, via AP) (The Associated Press)

This Sunday, April 30, 2017 photo provided by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), shows fighters from the SDF patrolling in the northern town of Tabqa, Syria. U.S.-backed opposition fighters led by Syrian Kurdish forces captured more territory from the Islamic State group in the northern town of Tabqa on Monday, May 1, 2017, pushing the extremists to northern neighborhoods, close to one of Syria's largest dams. (Syrian Democratic Forces, via AP) (The Associated Press)

U.S.-backed Syrian fighters have captured more territory from the Islamic State group in the northern town of Tabqa.

Tabqa is 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the Islamic State group's de facto capital, Raqqa, and an important stronghold for the militants.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Monday its fighters captured three more neighborhoods in Tabqa, which is next to one of Syria's largest dams on the Euphrates River.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS fighters withdrew from the Thawra City neighborhood and are now gathered in two neighborhoods near the dam.

Brig. Gen. Hussam al-Awwak, an Arab who heads public relations at SDF, predicted his group would be in full control of the town within hours.