Syrian army says it is taking on Islamic State extremists

The crisis is Syria is growing intense with both the Syrian army and rebel groups fighting Islamic State (IS).

The most recent fighting appears to be in the north of the country, where Kurdish military officials say heavily armed IS fighters have seized several villages.

Pro-government forces in Syria say the West is finally realising the threat of religious extremists.

The BBC's Middle East Editor, Jeremy Bowen, travelled to the front line with the Syrian army.