The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces announced Saturday that they have liberated the final ISIS stronghold in the eastern Syrian city of Baghouz after weeks of heavy fighting in the area. Troops with the U.S.-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance, which led the battle, immediately raised their yellow flag, replacing the black ISIS flag that has flown over the encampment. The defeat reportedly brings an end to the caliphate’s territorial dominance that began in 2014, but does not mean an end to the ideology that drives the terrorist group, according to CNN. Mustafa Bali, the spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces tweeted, “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.”
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
