US-backed fighters could soon resume offensive against Daesh

U.S.-backed fighters could soon resume an offensive against Daesh (ISIS) in the last area they control in Syria, an official said Saturday, adding that the battle against the extremists is expected to take three days.

Aras Orkesh of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said they have about 2,500 fighters ready for the battle in and around the eastern village of Baghouz, where Daesh militants still have a presence.

Under the cover of heavy coalition bombing on March 1-2, SDF forces advanced on the besieged tent encampment, leaving a corridor for residents to leave. Following that operation, thousands of residents and militants evacuated Baghouz over the next four days. But since Friday only a small group came out, raising speculations that a renewed military offensive was being planned.

On Saturday, a black flag inside Baghouz could be seen from a distance as well as moving trucks. On the front line, SDF fighters have assumed a relaxed stance with some walking around on rooftops exposed to Daesh militants.

Orkesh, the SDF official, said the battle could restart "tonight or tomorrow. It's the end of the cease-fire with Daesh." He added that the battle could take three days.

"What's holding us up is the civilians, we can see them, women and children inside," he said.

In Washington, a senior defense official estimated that nearly 20,000 people, including 3,500 to 4,000 adult males, have emerged from Baghouz since Feb. 20. The official, who could not be identified by name under Pentagon ground rules, said Friday that nearly all of the 20,000, including women and children, are seen as Daesh followers or adherents.

The official said it would not be a surprise, based on current conditions, if it took another couple of weeks to finish mopping up the Daesh enclave.