At least 47 killed in heavy fighting at key Syrian town

At least 47 fighters were killed in clashes between the Islamic State group and rival Syrian rebels, a monitor said on Saturday, in an area where the United States and Turkey are planning to open a new front against Islamic State militants. The renewed fighting raged on Friday around the town of Marea, a key rebel bastion that IS has been trying to capture for months. The area falls within a “safe zone” Turkey said last month it would set up in northern Syria to help keep Islamic State at bay.

Our fighters repelled a major attack by ISIS militants on the strategic town of Marea. We’ve destroyed three Isis vehicles, killed seven militants and took 11 others as hostages.

Salih al-Zein, commander of the rebel Shamiya Front.

Islamic State said Friday it had waged a fresh assault on Marea, killing “dozens” of Syrian rebels fighting against it. The group last week encircled Marea, taking several villages around the town, in a blow to rebels who are likely partners for Ankara and Washington in any ground campaign. A loss of Marea, which lies on a key supply route running to the Turkish border, would make it harder for Turkey and the United States to open a new front against Islamic State. Western-backed rebels have sent in reinforcements from other parts of Aleppo province to try to beat back the jihadists, according to a rebel fighter.

Middle East Syria