US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) say they have "totally eliminated" Islamic State in Syria.

The SDF made the announcement as it declared the battle against the insurgents in the final IS stronghold of Baghouz in the east of the country was over.

It has been battling the last IS remnants in the border town near Iraq for weeks, as the jihadists have been using civilians as human shields.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have now claimed "all territory in Syria is now clear of IS fighters".

SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali tweeted: "Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of so-called caliphate and 100% territorial defeat of ISIS.

"On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible." #SDFDefeatedISIS.

Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of so-called caliphate and %100 territorial defeat of ISIS. On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible. #SDFDefeatedISIS

— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) March 23, 2019

In a brief statement, the Media Centre of the Syrian Democratic Forces said: "Our forces are flying their flags over the Baguoz and proclaiming the military victory over the organization that is calling on the terrorist after six years of continuous war and great sacrifices"

"This victory would not have been achieved without the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs and wounded heroes."

Thousands of civilians, including families of IS fighters, have been fleeing Baghouz in recent weeks amid intense fighting, and are now being held in camps.

At its height, the militant group's caliphate, which it declared in 2014, stretched across a third of Syria and Iraq.

However, despite the SDF's victory, IS insurgents still remain a threat.

Some are hiding out in Syria's remote central desert, and in Iraqi cities they have gone underground, carrying out shootings and kidnappings.

The US believes the group's leader, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, is in Iraq.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump said IS insurgents no longer controlled any territory in Syria, though the US was still launching airstrikes and sporadic fighting continued on the ground.

"It's about time," Mr Trump told reporters, as he held up maps indicating the large territory once held by IS had shrunk to nothing.

"Here's ISIS on election day," he said, pointing to a swathe of red showing the areas the insurgent group controlled when he became president.

He then pointed to a version without any red, and said "here's ISIS right now", as he linked SDF gains to his time in power.

Main image: US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters celebrate their territorial gains over Islamic State militants in Baghouz, Syria | Image: Maya Alleruzzo/AP/Press Association Images