Iraq News

SDF brace for new outflux from last ISIS village

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepared for another outpouring of civilians Thursday (March 7th) from the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) group's last stronghold, which is teetering on the brink of total collapse.

A fierce assault on the besieged enclave in eastern Syria has sparked an exodus of dust-covered children, veiled women dragging suitcases and dishevelled, wounded men from the village of al-Baghouz.

The SDF are waiting for more survivors to trickle out before dealing what they hope will be a final blow to extremists holed-up in a makeshift camp along the banks of the Euphrates.

The SDF was not actively advancing Thursday, out of concern for remaining civilians, but its fighters entered the settlement two days earlier and control a chunk of it, an SDF source told AFP.

Remaining families have been pushed towards the far end of the camp near the river, he said.

More than 7,000 people have exited the enclave over the past three days, mostly women and children.

The operation to smash the final ISIS pocket had resumed on Friday (March 1st) after a long humanitarian pause.

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