Syria force still fighting IS in last holdout: spokesman

US-backed forces in eastern Syria said Friday they were still fighting to expel the last Islamic State group jihadists hunkering down in tiny pocket and refusing to surrender.

"Clashes are ongoing in Baghouz" village, said Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman Adnan Afrin. "Small IS groups refusing to surrender are launching attacks and our forces are responding."

He spoke after White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said "the territorial caliphate has been eliminated in Syria.