The SDF in Deir Ezzor closed Isis in an area just 3 kilometers between Safafinah and Baghuz Fawqani. Jazeera Storm could definitively defeat the Islamic State already within the week

The SDF in Deir Ezzor closed Isis in a small portion of the territory between Safafinah and Baghuz Fawqani, just three kilometers long. Operation Round Up (Jazeera Storm) troops blocked the Islamic State offensive in the Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV), surrounding and isolating the last remaining jihadist in the area. These are attacked on three sides and their only chance of escape is to the west, through the Euphrates, in the direction of the Badia desert. At the moment, Syrian fighters are moving against Daesh from the south, while the International Coalition’s fighters and artillery provide them with cover. The final battle could end already within the week, as there are only a few IS fundamentalists left. These, however, are tired and with doomed morale, following the defeat suffered on all fronts and the imminent end.

The Arab-Kurdish forces and the International Coalition proceed with caution, following the presence of hundreds of wives and children of Daesh militia in the area. The goal is to defeat fundamentalists, not putting them at risk

Meanwhile, the SDF also continue the evacuations of the population from the areas of clash with Isis at Deir Ezzor. In the last hours, Jazeera Storm has brought to safety hundreds of local inhabitants, especially women and children, who have fled from the area between Safafinah and Baghuz Fawqani. Moreover, unlike in the past, not all militiamen of the Islamic State allowed their families to flee. Therefore, in the operation area there are still several wives and children of the Daesh fundamentalists. As a result, the offensive had to slow down so as not to put them at risk. The spokesman for the Syrian fighters, Mustafa Bali, confirmed to Reuters. “There are hundreds of terrorist families,” he explained. “They are civilians and we can not invade the area, putting the lives of children in danger “. Their presence seems to derive from the fact that the SDF have refused an agreement with IS, which provided for to surrender in exchange for a safe-conduct.