The Syrian army and loyalist militiamen Sunday retook full control of Albu Kamal from the Islamic State group, a military source said, ousting the jihadists from their last urban stronghold in Syria.

The military source in Deir Ezzor told AFP that "Syrian troops and allied forces took full control of Albu Kamal, and are removing mines and explosives left by IS" in the town on the Iraqi border. 

Albu Kamal has changed hands several times, with government forces announcing its capture earlier this month but losing it to a blistering IS counter-attack a week ago.