BAGHOUZ, Syria — A U.S.-backed force in Syria is closing in on Islamic State militants in a tiny area less than a square kilometre (square mile) in eastern Syria, and will soon declare the defeat of the militant group, a commander with the group said Saturday. SDF fighters said were fired by the U.S.-led coalition. Furat, the SDF commander, said IS fighters are now besieged in an area that is about 700 square meters (840 square yards). He said that SDF fighters were able to liberate 10 of their colleagues that were held by IS. The Observatory said that some 200 IS gunmen surrendered Friday, days after about 240 others surrendered and were taken by SDF fighters and members of the U.S.-led coalition.

Source: National Post February 16, 2019 10:08 UTC