‘Final assault’ on Islamic State begins
Push to oust remnants of caliphate from Syria now underway
Fighters from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reportedly begun what is being hailed as the “final assault” on Islamic State (IS) forces in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province.
CNN reports that the last group of IS fighters is “holed up in the village of Baghouz Al-Fawqani, near the Iraqi border”, and that the SDF has launched an attack on the remaining four square kilometre stronghold of the militant group.
The SDF had paused for about a week to allow civilians in the village to flee before the fighting began, with US-led coalition aircraft pounding the village with airstrikes early on Sunday morning.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least 500 IS militants are believed to be in the village, where they are reportedly holding a number of western hostages, including British journalist John Cantlie, who was captured in 2012.
SDF commanders say that the militants have dug a network of tunnels beneath the village, allowing them to move from house to house undetected, and that IS fighters have put up a fierce resistance, using heat-seeking missiles.
News of the final battle comes just days after it emerged that a coup attempt was made by foreign fighters against IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
A witness to the coup attempt told The Guardian that foreign members of the terror group turned on their leader, waging a two-day battle with his bodyguards in September last year.
“The fighting was very intense, they had tunnels between houses. They were mainly Tunisians and there were many people killed,” Jumah Hamdi Hamdan said.
IS has reportedly placed a bounty on the head of the leader of the coup attempt, Abu Muath al-Jazairi, who is believed to be a veteran foreign fighter. The current whereabouts of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is unknown.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published