SDF expects "fierce battle" in final ISIS enclave

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expect a "fierce battle" with ISIS militias that are still holed up in the group's last enclave in eastern Syria, Mustafa Bali, the head of the SDF media office, told Reuters on Friday (March 1).

But Bali said ISIS militiamen were still holed up in Baghouz, a Syrian village on the Iraqi border, and had not surrendered. "We won't storm the village and declare it liberated unless we have completely confirmed the departure of civilians."

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the SDF had retaken 100 percent of the territory once held by ISIS.