Syrian army declares defeating IS in southern region

DAMASCUS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army declared on Monday the full defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in the southern region after capturing the al-Safa hills area east of Sweida province, according to the state TV.

The army said in a televised statement that the achievement comes after the Syrian forces captured an area estimated at 380 square km in the Syrian desert in southern Syria.

It added that the liberated area is important as it was the last stronghold of IS in southern Syria.