Syrian forces ‘wipe out’ caliphate

Syria, March 23 

US-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State’s last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz on Saturday, ending its territorial rule over a self-proclaimed caliphate after years of fighting. “Baghouz has been liberated. The military victory against Daesh has been accomplished,” Mustafa Bali, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman, wrote on Twitter, declaring the “total elimination of (the) so-called caliphate”.

At a victory ceremony near Baghouz, a brass band in red uniforms with gold brocade played the American national anthem in front of a stars and stripes flag and yellow militia banners.

SDF leaders, including both men and women, sat watching. However, a journalist at Baghouz said some shooting and mortar fire continued on Saturday morning and an SDF commander warned that the coming phase in the struggle, with jihadist sleeper cells plotting mayhem, might be even harder.

The final battle lasted weeks as huge numbers of civilians poured out, and for many Kurdish fighters in the SDF, victory was sweeter as it coincided with their “Now Ruz” new year. Though the defeat of Islamic State in Baghouz ends the group’s grip over the jihadist quasi-state straddling Syria and Iraq that it declared in 2014, it remains a threat.— Agencies

Mission Accomplished

Still remains a threat

US-backed fighters say they have captured Islamic State’s last shred of ground in eastern Syria, but while its era of territorial rule may be over for now, there is near universal agreement that IS remains a threat. 

SDF will fight sleeper cells

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) formally announced the destruction of Islamic State’s control of land in eastern Syria on Saturday but said it would continue its military and security campaigns against jihadist sleeper cells.

Macron hails defeat

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that a “major danger for France” had been eliminated, after U.S.-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State’s last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz. “A huge step has been taken today. A major danger for our country is eliminated,” Macron wrote on Twitter. “But the menace remains and the struggle against terrorist groups must continue,” Macron said.

Britain says ‘historic milestone’

Prime Minister Theresa May said the fall of the last bastion held by Islamic State jihadists in Syria marked “a historic milestone”, paying tribute to British and coalition forces.