IS evacuates bases in border town, fears of planned American airstrikes

Reporting by Abdullah Al Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Islamic State fighters have evacuated their bases in border town with Iraq in anticipation to the planned American airstrikes, local activists said.

As the International Community, led by the United States, is drumming up powers to pound IS, which controls swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, activists of al-Bukamal town on the border with Iraq, said the militant group ordered its fighters to evacuate their barracks and to depend on mobile checkpoints.

People of the tribal town, east of Deir Ezzor city, have suffered as most of IS-held areas of cruel treatment. Some are looking for an escape by U.S. airstrikes.

The Islamic State's campaign of extreme violence and abuses against both civilians and rival opposition groups has prompted a backlash across rebel-held Syria, where many hope the US air campaign next door will be extended, according to AFP.

Since joining the conflict in Syrian in spring 2013, IS has seized control of almost all of Raqa and Deir Ezzor provinces where it has waged a devastating offensive since June.