Syrian army liberates city of Deir el-Zour from Islamic State

The Syrian army said it has liberated the long-contested eastern city of Deir el-Zour from the Islamic State group - a largely symbolic victory in the military's bigger fight to capture the last remaining IS strongholds in the oil-rich province along the border with Iraq.

In a statement, the military said it was now in full control of the city, after a weeks-long campaign carried out with allied forces. It said army units were now removing booby traps and mines left behind by the extremist group in the city.