The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expect a “fierce battle” with ISIS militants who are still holed up in the group’s last enclave in eastern Syria, Mustafa Bali, the head of the SDF media office, told Reuters on Friday.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the SDF had retaken 100 percent of the territory once held by ISIS.
But Bali said ISIS militants were still holed up in Baghouz, a village on the Iraqi border, and had not surrendered. “We won’t storm the village and declare it liberated unless we have completely confirmed the departure of civilians.”
Also Read
-
New UN envoy wants action on Syria’s missing, new constitution
The new United Nations special envoy for Syria said on Thursday his goals in the period ahead are to achieve “concrete action” on detained ... Features -
Belgium wins appeal on repatriation of children from Syria
Belgium won an appeal Wednesday against a ruling ordering it to repatriate six children of Belgian militants living in a refugee camp with their ... Middle East -
Iraqi PM says country could help transfer non-Iraqi ISIS detainees from Syria
Iraq could help transfer non-Iraqi ISIS detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday ... Middle East -
More people leave Syria’s last ISIS holdout
Evacuations from the last pocket of territory held by ISIS extremist group in eastern Syria have continued amid a standoff between the militants and ... Middle East -
Iraq says it will prosecute 13 French ISIS militants captured in Syria
Iraqi courts will prosecute 13 French citizens captured while fighting for ISIS extremist group in Syria, Iraq’s President Barham Saleh said ... Middle East
