Battle to Capture Last of Islamic State Territory Slows

BAGHDAD—Islamic State militants hiding among civilians have slowed an advance by U.S.-backed coalition forces in Syria, said the top American ground commander, a setback in the fight to reclaim the last vestiges of Islamic State’s territory.

Lt. Gen. Paul LaCamera, who commands the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, told reporters in Baghdad Sunday that it could take a day or several days to capture the territory. Other U.S. officials said it could take another one to two weeks or more.