ISIS has been evacuating its members from the key town of Maadan in the southern Raqqah countryside, according to pro-government sources.
Earlier this week, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies reached Maadan and seized a number of villages near it threatening to encircle the ISIS-held town. On Thursday, the SAA secured the village of Shueayb Al Fatimi directly west of Maadan and deployed in a striking distance from its entrance.
This situation allegedly became a main reason behind the ISIS leadership decision.