Now to the Middle East. US-backed Kurdish leaders in northern Syria have warned that tens of thousands of Islamic State fighters and their families could escape if the coalition comes under attack. The central government in Damascus is warning the Kurds to submit, or face retaliation. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports from Qamishli near the Syrian-Turkish border.  

Syrian Democratic Forces have moved right into Baghouz. It may not be long now. Coalition bombs have played their part in the final push against Islamic State's last bolthole: so have 2,000 U.S. soldiers on the ground. Kurdish commanders want them to stay on when the battle's won.

ADNAN AFRIN, COMMANDER SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES "Our war against ISIL is ongoing and any U.S. withdrawal from Syria would be against the ethics of our partnership. Not only the U.S. but the rest of the coalition too."

They're likely to take president Donald Trump's lead. In January, he said he'd bring all personnel home. Now it seems perhaps a few hundred will remain. Such wavering hasn't gone unnoticed by other players in this conflict.

GUY HENDERSON NORTHEAST SYRIA "Many of Syria's million or so Kurds have been vital in the battle against Islamic State: these graves are testament to that. But people here fear victory could yet lead to defeat. In Damascus, President Bashar Al Assad is warning Washington it should stand aside and let them take back control of this region by will or by force. And over there, in Turkey, there's talk of a new offensive to pin Kurdish militias back."

As if in preparation, they clear more ground for the dead.

And they know there's a will: year ago, the Turkish military crossed the border to occupy the Kurdish city of Afrin. They are still there.

With its self-declared autonomy threatened, the northeast may still have cards to play though.

It's currently holding tens of thousands of the U.S.'s enemies in camps – ISIL fighters and their families.

Under siege without help, they warn, who knows where they'll end up.

"If Turkey attacks, if Syria government attacks, the likelihood is those prisoners will get out, they will be released?"

ABDULKARIM OMAR CO-CHAIRMAN OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS KURDISH SELF-ADMINISTRATION "If any war is launched against us, we will resist and defend ourselves. And ISIS fighters will get their chance to escape."

Until now, they've been seen as a liability no one wants. For the Kurds, Islamic State captives could yet prove a form of leverage. GH, CGTN, Qamishli, eastern Syria.