Syria's grinding seven-year war seems to have entered a new, and perhaps final stage.
Momentum is on the side of the Syrian troops backed by President Bashar al-Assad, as their forces push into ISIS territory on eastern fronts. That's sending the ISIS fighters retreating into their strongholds in the cities of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, leaving some midsized towns like Suknah free of ISIS militants.
Although the Syrian government restricts access to much of the country, including the front lines, occasionally a journalist is permitted to travel with the army.
That's how the BBC's Lyse Doucet made her way to Suknah with Syrian government commanders.
Click the "play" button on the audio player above to hear more of the story.
We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!