Over the last weekend, Islamic State (IS) fighters have launched an offensive attack on the Syrian town of Mahin, in central Homs Province. The attacks began late on Saturday with two suicide car bombings. Fighting also broke out in the nearby town of Sadad, a mostly-Christian town.

At least 50 government soldiers were killed in Saturday night’s fighting. Mahin was reportedly in IS control by Sunday morning. Clashes between government troops and IS also continued on the outskirts of Sadad, a town home to 15,000 civilians. Russian air strikes continued around this area, reportedly killing 60 people on Saturday. On Friday, more than 70 people were reported killed, and hundreds more wounded, from Russian airstrikes in the area.

Reports show that IS has been expanding towards central Syria in recent months. The IS, whose strongholds are mainly in northern and eastern Syrian towns, overran the town of Tadmur in May and al-Qaryatain in August. After capturing Mahin and Sadad, IS is now within 20 km of the main road linking Damascus, Syria’s capital, to Homs.The recent attacks contribute to Syria's four-year-long civil war death toll, which mounts to over 250,000 people. Half of the Syrian population has reportedly been driven from their homes, contributing to the refugee crisis in neighboring states and Europe.

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http://yalibnan.com/2015/11/02/i-s-advances-in-homs-province-captures-the-town-of-maheen/
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/11/01/Islamic-State-captures-town-from-regime-troops-in-Syrias-Homs-province/9451446404534/
http://mmc-news.com/news-syrian-conflict-islamic-state-advances-in-homs-province-299630.dbv