ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) opened a passage for people on Monday as ISIS has resorted to using human shields, thus slowing the SDF advance.
"Slowing down the offensive in Baghouz yesterday, we managed to evacuate about 3,000 ppl from ISIS pocket through the corridor we opened," tweeted Mustafa Bali, the head of the SDF Media Office early on Tuesday.
Slowing down the offensive in #Baghouz yesterday, we managed to evacuate about 3.000 ppl from ISIS pocket through the corridor we opened. A large number of Daesh jihadists surrendered to our forces among the same group overnight.
— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) March 4, 2019
"A large number of Daesh jihadists surrendered to our forces among the same group overnight," Bali said using another term for ISIS.
The Rojava Information Center (RIC) reported many of those fleeing Baghouz were Russian women and some were showing symptoms of a disease inflicted by the bites of sand flies.
[ON THE GROUND]
Among the women who left today from #Baghouz, many were Russian.
— Rojava Information Center (@RojavaIC) March 4, 2019
A worrying number of people were showing symptoms of #leishmaniasis on their skin.
"Among the women who left today from #Baghouz, many were reportedly Russian.
A worrying number of people were showing symptoms of #leishmaniasis on their skin," reported RIC.
It put the number of ISIS member surrendering from al-Baghouz at "200-300 ISIS fighters."
[ON THE GROUND]
About 800 people were evacuated from #Baghouz during the last day in #SDF trucks. Among them between 200-300 surrendering #ISIS fighters.
— Rojava Information Center (@RojavaIC) March 4, 2019
RIC is close to the the ruling Northern Syrian Democratic Federation.
The Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) comprise the bulk of the SDF.
"The last ISIS holdout is tiny patch in Baghouz, northern Syria. The SDF, YPG, YPJ [Women's Protection Unit] fighters to eliminate the group, are currently engaged in an operation. As the operation continues the group keeps shrinking, makes a last stand and is on the verge of an imminent defeat," stated the YPG.
The coalition's Operation Roundup began on May 1, 2018, with the aim to clear ISIS from the Middle Euphrates River Valley — the group's last bastion east of the river.