The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in its recent military operations in Syria retrieved the seized territory, declaring victory over the Islamic States group – an end to “caliphate”.
Mustafa Bali, spokesman for the SDF, in a tweet declared the “100% territorial defeat” of IS (also known as ISIS) group in eastern Syrian village of Baghuz, honoring victory over the jihadists and the end of their self-proclaimed caliphate.
“Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of so-called caliphate and %100 territorial defeat of ISIS. On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible. #SDFDefeatedISIS,” said Bali in a tweet.
Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of so-called caliphate and %100 territorial defeat of ISIS. On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible. #SDFDefeatedISIS
— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) March 23, 2019
Bali said the jihadist group, who once controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of land stretching across Syria and Iraq, is gone, and pledged to continue the fight against remnants of the extremist group until they are completely eradicated.
Despite the loss of territory, the group is still seen as a major security threat capable of mounting insurgent attacks in the region and worldwide.
It comes after the Kurdish-led SDF alliance began its final assault on IS in early March, with the remaining militants holed up in the village of Baghuz in eastern Syria.
The victory marks the end of almost five years campaign by an array of forces against the extremist group, which at its height in 2014 ruled a huge part of the country, including several major cities and towns.
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