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Isis defeated, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces announce Isis defeated, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces announce
(32 minutes later)
After almost five years, the battle to dismantle Islamic State’s brutal “caliphate” has ended with an announcement from US-backed forces that the militants have been driven out of their last stronghold of Baghuz, deep in the Syrian desert.After almost five years, the battle to dismantle Islamic State’s brutal “caliphate” has ended with an announcement from US-backed forces that the militants have been driven out of their last stronghold of Baghuz, deep in the Syrian desert.
The militants had held out for months against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the small oasis town on the Euphrates river, clinging on to an area of land less than 700 sq metres wide despite fierce coalition bombing. But on Saturday an SDF spokesman, Mustafa Bali, tweeted that the town had been liberated.The militants had held out for months against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the small oasis town on the Euphrates river, clinging on to an area of land less than 700 sq metres wide despite fierce coalition bombing. But on Saturday an SDF spokesman, Mustafa Bali, tweeted that the town had been liberated.
“On this unique day we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible,” he wrote.“On this unique day we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible,” he wrote.
The elimination of the caliphate is a significant symbolic victory against Isis, which at the height of its power held more than 8 million people hostage to its bloody interpretation of Islamic law in a swath of territory across Syria and Iraq that was roughly the size of the UK.The elimination of the caliphate is a significant symbolic victory against Isis, which at the height of its power held more than 8 million people hostage to its bloody interpretation of Islamic law in a swath of territory across Syria and Iraq that was roughly the size of the UK.
Foreign nationals suspected of Isis links 'not wanted' in Syrian campsForeign nationals suspected of Isis links 'not wanted' in Syrian camps
At least 6,000 Kurdish and 2,000 Arab SDF fighters have died in the four-year military campaign against the group in Syria. Thousands more troops died across the border in Iraq, and monitors say the civilian death toll in both countries is far higher than official estimates.At least 6,000 Kurdish and 2,000 Arab SDF fighters have died in the four-year military campaign against the group in Syria. Thousands more troops died across the border in Iraq, and monitors say the civilian death toll in both countries is far higher than official estimates.
Car, motorbike and even bicycle suicide bombs slowed the SDF’s advance in Baghuz to a crawl as women and children – mostly the families of fighters – poured out of the town in staggering numbers, defiantly shouting Isis slogans and threatening reporters.Car, motorbike and even bicycle suicide bombs slowed the SDF’s advance in Baghuz to a crawl as women and children – mostly the families of fighters – poured out of the town in staggering numbers, defiantly shouting Isis slogans and threatening reporters.
Coalition intelligence had estimated Baghuz’s population to be 5,000 at the beginning of the operation in December, but 62,000 women and children have since arrived at displacement camps, overwhelming the local authorities.Coalition intelligence had estimated Baghuz’s population to be 5,000 at the beginning of the operation in December, but 62,000 women and children have since arrived at displacement camps, overwhelming the local authorities.
The announcement of victory in Baghuz was somewhat undercut by reports of sporadic gunfire and shelling on Saturday near cliffs on the town’s eastern edge. On Friday another SDF spokesperson, Kino Gabriel, had said clearing operations to drive out fighters hiding in caves were still under way. Airstrikes pounded the area overnight. The announcement of victory in Baghuz was somewhat undercut by reports of sporadic gunfire and shelling on Saturday near cliffs on the town’s eastern edge. On Friday another SDF spokesperson, Kino Gabriel, had said clearing operations to drive out fighters hiding in caves there were still under way. Airstrikes pounded the area overnight.
The SDF, which had been preparing for a victory announcement for weeks – even building a stage at the operation’s base – was robbed of a more climactic victory moment when the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, told reporters on Friday that the acting defence secretary, Patrick Shanahan, had briefed Donald Trump that Isis had been completely territorially defeated.The SDF, which had been preparing for a victory announcement for weeks – even building a stage at the operation’s base – was robbed of a more climactic victory moment when the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, told reporters on Friday that the acting defence secretary, Patrick Shanahan, had briefed Donald Trump that Isis had been completely territorially defeated.
SDF soldiers and international coalition commanders celebrated the the collapse of the caliphate on Saturday but they remain under no illusions that Isis remains a serious threat in a country still mired in an intractable civil war. SDF soldiers and international coalition commanders celebrated the collapse of the caliphate on Saturday but they remain under no illusions that Isis will morph back into an insurgency which remains a serious threat in a country still mired in an intractable civil war.
The militants have carried out dozens of sleeper cell attacks in recently liberated towns and villages along the Euphrates river corridor as well as in their former capital Raqqa.The militants have carried out dozens of sleeper cell attacks in recently liberated towns and villages along the Euphrates river corridor as well as in their former capital Raqqa.
Since the Baghdad government declared Isis’s defeat in Iraq in 2017, the group has carried out more than 1,000 attacks. The global jihadist project is still a potent force in the Philippines, Afghanistan and parts of Africa. Since the Baghdad government declared Isis’s defeat in Iraq in 2017, the group has carried out more than 1,000 attacks there. The global jihadist project is still a potent force in the Philippines, Afghanistan and parts of Africa.
Islamic StateIslamic State
SyriaSyria
KurdsKurds
US foreign policyUS foreign policy
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
US militaryUS military
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