Syrian fighters have cut the main road between the northern city of Raqqa and the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, which are both controlled by Islamic State (IS).
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighters from the Kurdish-led Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) cut the road linking the two cities in the area of Jazra, near Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS's self-declared caliphate.
The SDF said its fighters captured seven area villages, enabling them to blockade the road.
SDF fighters have been on the offensive under the cover of air strikes by the US-led coalition since November as part of operation Euphrates Wrath, which aims to surround and capture Raqqa.
