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‘Large numbers’ of civilians still in IS enclave: Kurd-led forces
OMAR OIL FIELD, Syria, Feb 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – “Large numbers” of
civilians remain inside the last Islamic State group enclave in Syria
prompting a fresh delay in a final advance, Kurdish-led forces said on
Saturday.
“There are still civilians inside in large numbers,” US-backed Syrian
Democratic Forces spokesman Adnan Afrin told AFP on the day President Donald
Trump said he expected to announce the end of the jihadists’ “caliphate”.
“We weren’t expecting this number, otherwise we wouldn’t have resumed the
campaign four days ago. This is why it’s been delayed,” Afrin said.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1414 hrs