U.S.-backed SDF nearing victory over IS in east Syria: battle commander

NEAR BAGHOUZ, Syria (Reuters) - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will defeat Islamic State "in a very short time", the commander of the assault on the last jihadist enclave in eastern Syria said on Saturday. Jiya Furat told reporters the U.S.-backed SDF had cornered the remaining Islamic State militants in one tiny neighborhood of Baghouz village, under its fire from all sides. (Reporting by Rodi Said in eastern Syria; Writing in Ellen Francis in Beirut; Editing by Mark Potter)