Syrian journalist killed while covering army operation

Syria's state-run news agency says a Syrian journalist has been killed while covering the army's operations against Islamic State militants in the country's central region.

Sana says 38-year-old war reporter Wasim al-Nuqari was killed today in the eastern countryside of Homs province.

Al-Nuqari worked at Syrian TV for many years and had recently been working as a war reporter for the armed forces.

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi said in a statement today that al-Nuqari's death is another "medal" of honor for the Syrian media, "which is a real partner of the army in facing the terrorist war against the country."
 

The army has been battling IS militants near the villages of Mahin and Hawarin villages in southeast Homs.