Hundreds Flee Islamic State’s Final Stronghold, Bringing End Of “Caliphate” Nearer

Hundreds of people over the past two days have fled the Islamic State-held enclave of Baghouz, bringing American-backed Kurdish forces closer to fully defeating the so-called “caliphate” that only half a decade ago spanned territories across the Middle East roughly equivalent in size to Britain. Baghouz is ISIS’ last bastion in Syria, although some of its loyalists remain scattered in remote eastern desert regions, whereas others reportedly blended in with civilians to make their way into neighboring Iraq. Accordingly, officials of the United States-led coalition against ISIS have screened those evacuated from Baghouz, with Kurdish sources claiming that a large number of terrorists “surrendered to our forces.” Since the launch in February of a final assault on Baghouz, more than 10,000 people have left the small pocket whose fall appears imminent.