ISIS claims attack on Syrian army near Manbij

BAGHDAD, Iraq — ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack on Syrian army forces near the city of Manbij in Aleppo province in northeastern Syria, the group said in a statement on its Telegram account, according to Reuters. Syria's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that two soldiers were killed in the attack, carried out by unidentified armed individuals near Manbij. The ministry did not provide additional details about the incident. The claim comes amid an escalation in militant activity by the group since February, when ISIS announced a new operational campaign against the government led by President Ahmed al-Shara. Fighting between the parties has continued in the region, according to the Reuters report. No further information about the attack was immediately available.