SDF commander Abu Amjad lost life in Raqqa fighting IS

RAQQA, Syria (Kurdistan 24) – A senior commander of the US-backed forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) in Syria lost his life earlier this week in the ongoing battle in Raqqa city, Syrian Kurdish media stated on Tuesday.

Adnan Abu Amjad, head of the Manbij Military Council (MMC), an ally to the Kurdish-led, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), lost his life during clashes with IS in Raqqa.

Both the SDF and MMC mourned his death, offering condolences to his family and the people of Manbij.

“Abu Amjad was present in all battles against terrorism in Kobani, Tal Abyad, Tishreen Dam, Manbij, Hawl, and Shaddadi, and finally crowned his battles with martyrdom,” an SDF statement read.

The liberation of Manbij city in August 2016 was a significant blow to the militant group.

The area was of strategic importance, serving as a conduit for transit of foreign extremists and provisions coming from the Turkish border.

Abu Amjad is the second popular commander in Manbij after Abu Layla, a Syrian Kurdish commander of a rebel battalion affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) who lost his life after being shot by an IS sniper east of Manbij last year.

After the liberation of Manbij, MMC fighters joined the SDF, an alliance dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), in the Raqqa offensive launched in June.

The YPG-led offensive has regained over 60 percent of territory from IS in Raqqa, the militant group’s de facto capital and last major stronghold in Syria.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany