Hundreds of Civilians Exit 'Last ISIS Stronghold' in Syria

A convoy carrying hundreds of women, men, and children left the last stronghold of the group known as the 'Islamic Caliphate' or ISIS in Syria on Wednesday, February 20. Associated Press reporters stationed around Baghouz, a village near the Iraqi border, report that at least 17 trucks have evacuated people from the last location still held by ISIS along the Euphrates River this week. Mustafa Bali, spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces, which are fighting ISIS with U.S. support, confirmed that these trucks are carrying civilians fleeing from ISIS-controlled territory. However, it is not easily ascertainable whether ISIS militants have also boarded the trucks with the civilians. It is estimated that about 300 ISIS members may still be holding onto their last stronghold. On Tuesday, Mustafa Bali stated that if ISIS members do not surrender, a military operation will commence to expel them from the area, emphasizing that such operations will occur only after civilians are separated from the militants. One commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces also mentioned that the remaining ISIS fighters who continue to resist are severely injured or ill. The self-proclaimed 'Islamic Caliphate,' which had controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq in recent years, now holds only a very small territory and, as promised by the Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. officials, will soon lose it.