Syrian Democratic Forces now closer to wiping out IS from last pocket

A U.S.-backed offensive against Islamic State's final enclave in eastern Syria is basically over but requires a little more time to be completed on the ground, the spokesman for the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told al-Hadath TV. "The operation is over, or as good as over, but requires a little more time to be completed practically," Kino Gabriel said in an interview on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)