Baghuz

Baghuz is a small village located in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate of eastern Syria. Situated near the Euphrates River, it gained significant international attention during the Syrian Civil War due to its association with the final territorial defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In early 2019, Baghuz became the last stronghold of ISIS fighters and their supporters. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with international coalition support, launched an offensive to capture the area. The battle for Baghuz was protracted and intense, characterized by heavy fighting, extensive use of tunnels, and a large-scale evacuation of civilians who had been used as human shields by ISIS.

The village and its surrounding area suffered extensive damage during the conflict. The SDF declared victory in Baghuz in March 2019, marking the end of ISIS's territorial caliphate. The aftermath involved clearing operations, dealing with unexploded ordnance, and the humanitarian challenge of displaced populations. Baghuz remains a symbol of the conclusion of a major phase of the Syrian Civil War and the territorial collapse of ISIS.