US-backed Syrian force declares victory over Islamic State

US-backed forces in Syria anunced Saturday y have liberated last area held by Islamic State in eastern Syrian vill of Baghouz, declaring victory over extremist group and end of its self-declared Islamic caliphate.

"Baghouz is free and military victory against Daesh has been achieved," tweeted Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, referring to group by its Arabic acronym.

Elimination of last IS stronghold in Baghouz marks end of militants' self-declared caliphate, which at its height blanketed large parts of Syria and Iraq.

campaign to take back territory by US and its partners has spanned five years and two U.S. presidencies, unleashed more than 100,000 bombs and killed untold numbers of fighters and civilians.

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But weekend anuncement, in a tweet, was anti-climactic, and on ground sporic gunfire continued. A day earlier, President Donald Trump declared that Islamic State militants longer control any territory in Syria.

Associated Press journalists in Baghouz on Saturday reported hearing mortars and gunfire directed toward a cliff overlooking Baghouz, where US-led coalition airstrikes were carried out a day earlier. SDF spokesman Ki Gabriel told AP Friday that re were still IS fighters hiding in caves near Baghouz and that clearing operations were still underway.

At its height, Islamic State group ruled a third of both Syria and Iraq, holding millions of people host to its harsh and violent interpretation of Islamic law.

group carried out large-scale massacres and documented m with slickly produced videos circulated online. During a ramp through Iraq's Sinjar region in 2014, it captured thousands of women and girls from Yazidi religious mirity and forced m into sexual slavery. Many remain missing to this day.

group also used its caliphate as a launchp for attacks around globe, including assaults in Paris in 2015 that killed more than 130 people.

While it imposed an unforgiving version of Islamic law through public beheings and crucifixions, group also carried out mundane duties of governance in its territories, including regulating prices at markets and building infrastructure.

IS longer controls any territory in Syria or Iraq, but continues to carry out insurgent attacks in both countries. It also maintains affiliates in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Afghanistan and elsewhere

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