BEIRUT (Reuters) - Air strikes targeted Islamic State weapons stores on Sunday as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched an attack against the jihadists’ enclave at Baghouz near the Iraqi border, SDF official Mustafa Bali said.

In a post on Twitter, Bali said the attack began at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT). “Direct and fierce” clashes were underway, he added.