U.S.-backed Syrian forces launch "final" assault against ISIS militants

2019-02-11 4

U.S.-backed forces in Syria have launched an attack against the last enclave held by the Islamic State Group near the Iraqi border.
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces moved in on the village of Baghouz over the weekend, but have been met with fierce resistance from ISIS militants.
Some 20,000 civilians have been evacuated from the area as U.S.-led coalition air strikes and artillery fire pound IS positions.
Up to 600 jihadists are thought to be defending their last stronghold.
At its peak, ISIS held parts of Iraq and Syria equivalent to the size of Portugal.