ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The final major population center held by ISIS extremists in Iraq or Syria has been surrounded by forces loyal to the Syrian government. Troops have surrounded the eastern border town of al-Boukamal on Wednesday, Al-Manar TV, a media organization close to Lebanese Hezbollah reported. Syrian troops and their allies have begun entering the town, according to the Central Military Media Center, a Syrian military media affiliate also reported. Both outlets have also reported that Syrian and Iraqi forces had linked up across the border. Hezbollah is fighting alongside government forces, The Associated Press reported Iraqi army, paramilitary, and Sunni tribal forces liberated al-Qaim on the Iraqi side of the border on Friday. US defense chief James Mattis has described the area as "ISIS's last stand."
