Coalition confirms assault on IS in east Syria

Washington Coalition-backed ground forces in Syria have begun what is expected to be the final phase of an operation to clear the Islamic State group from a pocket of terrain, officials said Tuesday. The ground offensive, dubbed Operation Roundup, is being conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces with powerful air and artillery support from the US-led coalition in northeastern Syria. The operation"will clear remnants of (IS) from northeastern Syria along the Middle Euphrates River Valley toward the Syria-Iraq border," the coalition said in a statement. (AFP)