Turkish-backed Syrian rebels seize several villages from IS near town of al-Rai - rebel official
BEIRUT, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels backed by Turkey seized several villages from Islamic State near the town of al-Rai, from where the rebel groups launched a new operation against the jihadists earlier on Saturday, a rebel official said.
"They took several villages, about eight villages. At first they took two and withdrew from them, but then reinforcements came and there was an advance," Zakaria Malahifji of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim group told Reuters.
The areas seized were to the east and south of al-Rai, which is 2 km (1 mile) from the Turkish border. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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