DAMASCUS, Aug. 5 -- The Syrian government forces on Saturday captured the city of Sukhneh, the last Islamic State (IS) stronghold in the central province of Homs, pro-government Sham FM radio reported.

The capture of Sukhneh came after the Syrian government forces successfully besieged the city earlier in the day.

The progress is part of a wide-scale military offensive to drive out IS from the Syrian Desert.

Capturing Sukhneh would enable the Syrian army to break the IS siege to the eastern province of Deir al-Zour near Iraq, as the city is located on the road between the ancient city of Palmyra and Deir al-Zour.

The Russian warplanes have been supporting the ground Syrian troops and allied fighters in their push to clear the desert of IS.