Fox News declared Thursday the Islamic State caliphate has fallen, one day after President Trump said the terrorist organization would be wiped out overnight.
“The caliphate has crumbled, and the final offensive is over. While the official announcement hasn’t yet been made – Fox News has been told that this village, the last ISIS stronghold, is liberated,” reported foreign affairs correspondent Benjamin Hall, who said Fox News was present for the five days of fighting and noted troops were pulling down ISIS flags in Baghouz, Syria.
The Pentagon has not confirmed the report. Pentagon spokesman Charlie Summers told reporters on Thursday that the offensive against ISIS is ongoing. “They continue to pursue ISIS and that ensure we eliminate their ability to reform. The amount of territory they held is smaller and smaller and smaller,” he said.
Fox News reported an announcement from the Pentagon is expected soon.
Over the last week, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been engaged in a military operation sweeping throughout the eastern part of Syria, combing through villages and small enclaves to take out the remaining ISIS fighters in the region.
The report follows Trump’s bold prediction Wednesday that U.S.-backed coalition fighters could have the Islamic State in Syria eliminated by the end of the the night. Trump also shared an image of two maps of Syria: One of ISIS territory on Election Night in 2016 and another with a “tiny spot which will be gone by tonight.”
ISIS Caliphate two years ago in red vs. ISIS Caliphate TODAY. (Was even worse in November 2016 before I took office). pic.twitter.com/MUgfex4rCj
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2019
He later tweeted out the maps with the message: “ISIS Caliphate two years ago in red vs. ISIS Caliphate TODAY. (Was even worse in November 2016 before I took office).”
