Islamic State loses last Syrian stronghold: US-backed forces

Damascus: The Islamic State (IS) has lost its last stronghold in Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Saturday, bringing an end to the so-called caliphate declared by the terror group in 2014.

The SDF said it defeated the IS and fully liberated Baghouz in eastern Syria, reports CNN. “Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of the so-called caliphate and 100 per cent territorial defeat of IS. On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible,” tweeted Mustafa Bali, head of the SDF press office.

At its peak, the IS controlled a huge stretch of territory stretching from western Syria to the outskirts of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. But the final battle took place in the past several weeks around the small and otherwise unremarkable Syrian town of Baghouz, on the banks of the Euphrates River. A coalition of Kurdish and Arab soldiers backed by the US, British and French special forces launched the last assault in Baghouz early last month. (IANS)

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