BEIRUT (Reuters) - The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began an operation on Friday to clear the last remaining pocket of Islamic State fighters from the besieged eastern Syrian village of Baghouz, an SDF official said on Twitter.

“After our forces completed the evacuation of civilians from Baghouz and the freeing of our fighters who were kidnapped by Daesh, nothing remains in Baghouz except for terrorists,” said SDF media office head Mustafa Bali, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

“Therefore our forces have begun military action and engagement with the terrorists to complete its final liberation,” he added.