Spokesman: U.s.-backed Syrian forces turn back IS

U.s.-backed Syrian forces captured 41 positions held by Islamic State group militants and destroyed their fortifications in the last pocket they hold in eastern Syria amid fierce fighting, a spokesman said Sunday.

Mustafa Bali said the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces made the advances overnight and on Sunday, hours after they launched a final push to clear the area from IS militants Saturday night.

Bali said heavy fighting was going on inside the village of Baghouz on Sunday, adding that an IS counterattack was foiled early in the day. He did not say how long the battle was expected to last.