The end for the Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate is near, three years after the terrorist group announced its vision for creating a nation state across Iraq, Syria and the wider region.
U.S.-backed forces are on the verge of capturing the group's home base, Raqqa, Syria, the last major city it still holds.
A U.S.-led coalition has captured 70% of Raqqa, prompting rare surrenders by some fighters for the Islamic State, or ISIS, the coalition said.
The number of fighters remaining in the city is between 500 and 900, down from 3,500 at the start of the offensive in June, the coalition said.
Still, the remaining fighters have put up a stiff resistance in dense neighborhoods, which have been packed with hidden explosives. The militants also have made extensive use of tunnels, suicide bombers and truck and car bombs.
Over the past two months, about 30 fighters have surrendered to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
