The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says that since Friday, IS killed 41 fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a main fighting force combating the extremists in Syria, according to the Associated Press.

The IS-linked Aamaq news agency said that more than 40 SDF fighters were killed, and posted a video of six gunmen captured alive.

The Observatory said the fighting continued until early Saturday and that IS gunmen attacked SDF positions on the eastern banks of the Euphrates river in east Syria.

SDF fighters have been on the offensive since September under the cover of airstrikes by the US-led coalition to capture the last IS-held pocket in Syria.

Reporter’s code: 50101