March 16, 2019 - 5:09 AM
OUTSIDE BAGHOUZ, Syria - An international aid group says nearly 3,000 people have arrived at a tent settlement in northeastern Syria over the past two days after leaving the last area held by the Islamic State group.
The International Rescue Committee said in a statement Saturday the new arrivals consisted of almost all women and children, bringing al-Hol camp's population in Hassakeh province to over 69,000 people.
It added that 122 people, mostly children and infants, had died making their way to the camp since December, mainly as a result of severe acute malnutrition, pneumonia, dehydration and diarrhea.
Thousands of people, including IS fighters and their families, have left the last sliver of land held by IS over the past weeks as U.S.-backed fighters slowly advance on the area near the Iraqi border.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019