"Major danger for France" eliminated after Islamic State's defeat: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday hailed U.S.-backed forces' successful operation to liberate the Islamic State's (IS) last pocket of resistance in eastern Syria, stressing that a "major danger for France" had been eliminated.

"Syrian Democratic Forces announced that the last bastion of Daesh had fallen. I pay tribute to our partners and the armies of the international coalition, in which France takes part. They fought the terrorists with determination, for our security," Macron wrote in a Twitter message.

"A huge step is reached today: a major danger for our country is eliminated," he said.

Meanwhile, he warned "the threat remains and the fight against terrorist groups must continue."

In a press release, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Yves Le Drian paid tribute "to the courage, determination and efficiency of these free fighters" who had led "to a final victory in the city of Baghouz."

However, "Greatest determination remains necessary to prevent the resurgence of Daesh," he stressed, adding that Paris would continue combating terrorism and energizing diplomatic efforts to reach political solution in Syria.

U.S.-backed forces announced, earlier on Saturday, the "total elimination" of the Islamic State after they had captured the group's last territory in eastern Syria area of Baghouz.

France was one of the first European countries to join the international coalition against the IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014 and then IS targets in Syria a year later.

Around 1,200 troops including special forces have been based in the north of the country, deployed alongside local Kurdish and Arab forces.