Rights group says Daesh living its last days in Syria

Daesh is on the verge of collapse in Syria, the Director of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdul Rahman said yesterday, explaining that the group’s resistance has significantly decreased.

Only the threat of landmines is preventing Syrian Democratic Forces from advancing to areas under Daesh’s control, he added.

“The group may not be able to withstand until the beginning of the new year,” Abdul Rahman said.

“Areas that are still under ISIS [Daesh] control are witnessing the largest displacement since the Syrian Democratic Forces launched their offensive against the group more than three months ago,” he said.

READ: US withdrawal from Syria will not signal the end of the conflict

The movement comes as the group is trying to defend its stronghold as the Syrian Democratic Forces – a coalition of Kurdish and Arab factions backed by the United States – continue to advance in the eastern banks of the Euphrates River in Deir Ez-Zour province and along the Iraqi border.

The Syrian Democratic Forces have recently opened corridors to allow the exit of civilians from the area. Since the start of the offensive in September, more than 15,000 people have fled, including “more than 700 ISIS members who tried to hide among the crowds”, Abdul Rahman said.

President Donald Trump said last week the US-led coalition has succeeded in militarily defeating the Daesh terrorist group, signalling a looming withdraw of forces from Syria, reports Anadolu Agency.