IS launches attacks on Syrian government, Kurdish forces

(Vatican Radio/agencies)  So-called Islamic State fighters have launched simultaneous attacks against Syrian government and Kurdish militia forces, returning to  the offensive after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces in Syria.

At least one car bomb in an area near the border crossing with Turkey killed15 people and wounded 70.

The attacks by Islamic State follow a rapid advance by Kurdish-led forces deep into the hardline group's territory, to within 50 km (30 miles) of its de facto capital Raqqa.

The dual assaults on government forces in Hasaka and Deraa, both provincial capitals, are a test of Syrian president Assad's resolve to hold out in remote outposts beyond the western part of the country that is seen as the top priority for his survival.

In a separate offensive, an alliance of rebels in the south of the country also launched an attack with the aim of driving government forces from the city of Deraa.

SYRIA - UN

Meanwhile, more than 80 international human rights and aid groups are urging the U.N. Security Council to take “real” action against the continuing use of barrel bombs in Syria's civil war.

The letter comes a week after more than 70 countries expressed outrage and demanded that the council prevent Syria's air force from using the weapons, which are prohibited by international humanitarian law because of their indiscriminate nature.

The council meets informally Friday to explore how the international community should respond as Syria's fighting is deep into a fifth year with well over 200,000 killed.