IS attacks Palestinian refugee camp in Syria

The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group on Wednesday captured the southern part of a main Palestinian refugee camp south of Syria's capital Damascus, sources told Xinhua news agency.

IS militants advanced into the Yarmouk Camp from the nearby district of Hajar al-Asawad, located south of the camp, said Khaled Abdul-Majid, a Palestinian politician and head of the Palestinian Struggle Front.

The IS militants captured the streets of Oruba and Taqadum and part of the Safad street south of the camp, he added.

They also stormed the Palestine Hospital there, capturing all of the medical staff and volunteers, another Palestinian activist told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

He said the southern part of the camp was important as it was a densely populated area, adding that the IS also reached the 30 Street inside the camp.

The IS militants also posted snipers atop buildings in the southern part of the camp and clashed with rival rebel groups, which are in control of the camp since 2012.

The Yarmouk Camp is a large district in southern Damascus. Among its one million residents, 170,000 are Palestinian. Most of them fled to Syria in 1948 following the establishment of the Israeli state.