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IS resists 'final push' by US-backed force in eastern Syria Fighting slows 'final push' against IS in eastern Syria
(about 4 hours later)
US-backed fighters in Syria say they are meeting fierce resistance in the last enclave held by Islamic State (IS) militants near the Iraqi border.US-backed fighters in Syria say they are meeting fierce resistance in the last enclave held by Islamic State (IS) militants near the Iraqi border.
A spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told the AP news agency "the most experienced" jihadists are defending their last stronghold. A battle has been going on for hours, with US-led coalition air strikes and artillery fire pounding IS positions.
Up to 600 jihadists are thought to be defending their last stronghold, a small pocket in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour.
Two years ago IS controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq.Two years ago IS controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq.
But they are now holed up in a tiny pocket in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, near the Iraqi border. On Saturday, after a pause of more than a week to allow some 20,000 civilians to leave the area, SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said the group was launching the "final battle to crush IS". Some civilians are believed to be still in the area.
On Saturday, after a pause of more than a week to allow some 20,000 civilians to leave the area, SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said the group was launching the "final battle to crush IS". An SDF field commander told AFP news agency on Sunday morning: "There are heavy clashes at the moment. We have launched an assault and the fighters are advancing."
Overnight he told the Associated Press (AP): "The battle is very fierce. Those remaining inside are the most experienced who are defending their last stronghold. According to this you can imagine the ferocity and size of the fighting." Monitors the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the SDF were advancing across farmland, and there were heavy clashes and landmines going off.
The SDF, backed by air strikes carried out of the US-led coalition, has driven out IS from towns and villages in north-eastern Syria in recent months. Backed by air strikes, the SDF have driven out IS from towns and villages in north-eastern Syria in recent months.
At its peak in 2014, IS established a "caliphate" stretching across Syria and Iraq that was similar in size to the UK and ruled over more than 7.7 million people.At its peak in 2014, IS established a "caliphate" stretching across Syria and Iraq that was similar in size to the UK and ruled over more than 7.7 million people.
In December, US President Donald Trump said IS militants were "mostly gone" and announced the US would withdraw all of its 2,000 troops from Syria.In December, US President Donald Trump said IS militants were "mostly gone" and announced the US would withdraw all of its 2,000 troops from Syria.
On Wednesday he said: "It should be announced, probably some time next week, that we will have 100% of the caliphate."On Wednesday he said: "It should be announced, probably some time next week, that we will have 100% of the caliphate."
IS's last stand? IS will still be a threat
Analysis by BBC Arab Affairs editor Sebastian UsherAnalysis by BBC Arab Affairs editor Sebastian Usher
Over the past few months, the US-backed SDF has patiently driven IS out of every town and village in the northeast of Syria. The jihadists have been reduced to just a few square kilometres/miles of territory. The battle for the tiny sliver of land still held by IS next to the Iraqi border has been raging for many hours.
In recent days, President Trump has said the total defeat of IS could be declared next week. This suits his agenda of withdrawing all US troops from Syria. Air strikes and artillery fire have pummelled the IS position, which measures only about a mile across. The SDF believes it will shortly achieve a decisive victory.
But it's not the full picture - IS still holds another sliver of territory in Syria further west - while its sleeper cells remain active. IS does still hold another scrap of territory in Syria - and it continues to carry out dozens of attacks - many targeting the SDF.
It's the same story in Iraq. Its ability to continue a guerrilla insurgency persists. Even as it seems likely to lose every last fragment of its once-vaunted and self-declared caliphate, IS can continue to operate and pose a potent threat in both Syria and Iraq from remote areas where its fighters find refuge, as well as through militants gone to ground in towns and cities.
The fate of its hostages, such as the British journalist, John Cantlie, remains unclear - as does that of its leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.
How many militants are left?How many militants are left?
IS has suffered substantial losses, but the UN says it still reportedly controls between 14,000 and 18,000 militants in Iraq and Syria, including up to 3,000 foreigners.IS has suffered substantial losses, but the UN says it still reportedly controls between 14,000 and 18,000 militants in Iraq and Syria, including up to 3,000 foreigners.
Meanwhile, there are significant numbers of IS-affiliated militants in Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, South-East Asia and West Africa, and to a lesser extent in Somalia, Yemen, Sinai and the Sahel.Meanwhile, there are significant numbers of IS-affiliated militants in Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, South-East Asia and West Africa, and to a lesser extent in Somalia, Yemen, Sinai and the Sahel.
Individuals inspired by the group's ideology also continue to carry out attacks elsewhere.Individuals inspired by the group's ideology also continue to carry out attacks elsewhere.