Iraqi and Syrian forces ramp up attacks on ISIL

Forces in Iraq and Syria are bolstering their offensives on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, in a bid to retake key cities in both countries. Iraqi security forces and Shia fighters renewed efforts to retake the western Iraqi city of Ramadi on Monday, as ISIL poured more fighters into the city that it claimed a week ago.

Police sources said Iraqi forces had regained ground east of the city since launching a counteroffensive on Saturday, and on Monday has retaken parts of al-Tash, 20km south of Ramadi, which lies only a short distance from Baghdad. Ramadi residents said trucks carrying ISIL fighters arrived on Sunday evening before spreading out across the city. Syria launches air strikes In Syria, the Syrian air force launched strikes on Monday at buildings captured by ISIL in the historic city of Palmyra. ISIL has reportedly killed hundreds of people since it moved into the Palmyra area 10 days ago, and its occupation of the city has raised fears that