KURDISH forces in northern Syria captured a prominent Islamic State (Isis) leader during an operation in Deir ez-Zor province, east of the Euphrates, they announced at the weekend.

Osama Awaid al-Ibrahim, or Abu Zeid, is the second-in-command of Isis and was captured on Thursday after being found hiding in a tunnel with plans to blow himself up.

According to reports from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mr Zeid’s sister prevented him from killing himself, leading to his capture.