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The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have launched what one SDF official described as quote "the last battle" against the final Islamic State stronghold in eastern Syria on Saturday.
It's been described as the last vestige of the jihadist group's self-proclaimed "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria.
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The offensive comes as U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the week said the defeat against Islamic State could be imminent.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:
"It should be formally announced sometime probably next week that we will have 100 percent of the caliphate."
At least 20,000 civilians had been evacuated from the besieged enclave comprising two villages near the Iraqi border.
Mustafa Bali, the head of SDF's media office, said the mission will be to, quote, "eliminate the last remnants of the terrorist organization."
