Islamic State Group Defeated As Final Territory Lost

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) says the Islamic State group's five-year "caliphate" is over after the militants' defeat in Syria.

SDF fighters have been raising victory flags in Baghuz, the last stronghold of the jihadist group.

US President Donald Trump praised the "liberation" of Syria, but added: "We will remain vigilant against [IS]."

The jihadists retain a presence in the region and are active in countries from Nigeria to the Philippines.

At its height, IS controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of land stretching across Syria and Iraq.

After five years of fierce battles, though, local forces backed by world powers left IS with all but a few hundred square metres near Syria's border with Iraq.

On Saturday, the White House released a statement in which President Trump described IS's loss of territory as "evidence of its false narrative", adding: "They have lost all prestige and power."

- BBC