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Photos: Closing In on the Last ISIS Stronghold (26 photos)

In recent months, a U.S.-backed coalition of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been attacking and closing in on the last remaining ISIS holdout, in eastern Syria. What remains of the so-called caliphate that once controlled more than 30,000 square miles in Syria and Iraq can now fit into less than half of one square mile in a small village called Baghouz. Weeks of air strikes and bombardment have driven out many fighters, as well as thousands of civilians, who are turning themselves over to SDF soldiers. The advance was paused today while negotiations took place for the release of more civilians, but the last few ISIS jihadists remain boxed in, with few options left.