British forces to keep fighting against so-called Islamic State

British armed forces will not be scaling back their presence in Iraq and Syria following the capture of the last stronghold of the so-called Islamic State, it has been confirmed.

Deputy commander of the Global Coalition's Joint Task Force Major General Chris Ghika warned that despite the terror group's massive loss of land, it is by no means "leaderless or rudderless".

The capture of Baghouz was announced by the Syrian Democratic Forces' Mustafa Bali over the weekend and marked a significant milestone in the four-year campaign against what IS called its 'Caliphate'.

This once covered an area roughly the size of Britain, but the coalition has now declared its 'total elimination' and the liberation of the last of the IS territory in Syria.

British politicians hailed the development as an historic achievement, but warned against complacency and said the threat against Britain is likely to remain high.

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted Britain will "remain resolute" in its battle against the group.

The US has already begun its withdrawal, but has said it will keep an air-based presence in northern Syria, with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces warning that pulling out too soon could have a destabilising effect on the region.