U.S.-backed Syrian forces fighting the Islamic State group announced Tuesday they have taken control over an encampment in an eastern Syrian village where IS militants have been besieged for months, refusing to surrender.
The milestone, though significant, was not the final defeat of IS in the village of Baghouz, the last sliver of territory in Syria held by the extremists.
"This is not a victory announcement, but a significant progress in the fight," Bali said in a Twitter post. He said hundreds of wounded and sick militants were captured and have been evacuated to nearby military hospitals for treatment. The battle to capture Baghouz -- including the encampment, a collection of tents covering foxholes and underground tunnels -- has dragged on for weeks amid an unexpected exodus of civilians from the area.
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