Feature - The Last Stronghold of the Caliphate
Lorenzo Meloni
The Battle of Baghuz Fawqani began on 9 February 2019 in the immediate surroundings of the Syrian town of Al-Baghuz Fawqani along the eastern banks of the Middle Euphrates River Valley. The battle marked the last stand of the Islamic State (IS) in eastern Syria as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), assisted by American-led Coalition airstrikes, artillery, and military advisers, began their thrust into the last enclave controlled by the Islamic State in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. SDF forces also secured safe corridors for thousands of civilians who were previously trapped inside the city to flee...