U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters fly their flag from a rooftop overlooking Baghouz, Syria, after the SDF declared the area free of Islamic State militants after months of fighting on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Maya Alleruzzo/Associated Press)BAGHOUZ, Syria — U.S-backed Syrian fighters on Sunday were clearing explosives in the last area retaken from the Islamic State group a day after declaring military victory over the extremists and the end of their self-styled caliphate. At its height, IS controlled a sprawling self-declared caliphate the size of Britain that was home to some 8 million people. It’s not known whether the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is still alive or where he might be hiding. The coalition must remain firm in its determination to counter Daesh,” he said, referring to the extremist group by an Arabic acronym.

Source: Washington Post March 24, 2019 06:47 UTC