An ISIS counterattack in Raqqa kills more than 100 Syrian troops

A large ISIS tank force is conducting a major counterattack on the Syrian government forces fighting to wrest Raqqa from Islamist occupation. In a surprise strike, the jihadists Friday recovered a road and several villages southeast of the town and some Syrian army camps. They left at least 100 government troops dead. Hundreds more were wounded and seen fleeing the scene. DEBKAfile: ISIS by its successful counteroffensive has retained control of the main routes running through the desert to its Mayhadin and Abu Kamal strongholds near the Iraqi border. The jihadists have also stopped short the Syrian army’s advance towards the Euphrates Valley.