The Islamic State is nearing its final days in its last enclave in eastern Syria, according to a U.S. official.
Spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition Col. Sean Ryan told the Associated Press that the fight against ISIS “is going very well” and that the terrorist group’s “end days” are getting closer.
“They still have the capability for coordinated attacks, and the fight is not over,” Ryan said, adding that ISIS fighters are regrouping and their explosive devices have the ability to stymie Syrian Democratic Forces offensives.
A day before Ryan’s comments, the U.S.-backed SDF took control of the town of Hajin, the largest city controlled by ISIS in the enclave.
SDF has been fighting to capture the enclave since Sept. 10. Since then, 932 ISIS fighters, 545 SDF fighters and hundreds of civilians have been killed in the clashes, according to war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Trump administration has said for weeks that ISIS is near the end of its strength. Last week, Lt. Gen. Frank McKenzie, President Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Central Command, said he thinks the U.S. is “very close to finishing the physical destruction of the caliphate.”
