The Islamic State retained control of just one village in Syria, Baghouz, and on Tuesday, about 500 fighters fleeing the area surrendered to U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.
Baghouz has seen intense fighting in recent weeks, and SDF commanders told CNN the remaining ISIS fighters are among the most experienced militants. They used their wives and children as human shields, and launched attacks via tunnels. SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said that over the last 48 hours, more than 6,000 people have fled Baghouz, with 3,500 evacuated on Tuesday alone.
Baghouz is in eastern Syria, near the Iraqi border, and if it is recaptured, ISIS will no longer have any territorial control, CNN reports. The terrorist organization once held a vast stretch of land, roughly the size of Portugal, in Syria and Iraq.
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