US-backed Syrian forces resume offensive against Islamic State

DEIR AL-ZOR (Kurdistan 24) – An operation against the Islamic State (IS) in eastern Syria near the border with Iraq has resumed, the Kurdish-led, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday.

The SDF announced in an online statement that the operation would target the remaining IS-held towns of Hajeen and Dasheesha in the eastern Euphrates after a pause to the campaign two weeks ago.

“The transfer of military operations toward Dasheesha is a completion of securing the Syrian-Iraqi border and for the liberation of the entire province of Hasakeh from pockets of [IS],” Lilwa al-Abdallah, a spokesperson for the offensive in Deir al-Zor Province, said in a press conference.

“The Dasheesha liberation campaign was planned in coordination with the Iraqi army and the international coalition forces,“ she added.

“Our forces will start toward the town in accordance with this coordination and joint consultation, to eliminate terrorism, and to defeat and restore security and stability to the liberated areas,” Abdallah continued.

The US-led coalition confirmed the resumption of the operation.

“The SDF ground offensive, aimed at clearing Dasheesha, is bolstered by coordinated Coalition cross-border air and artillery strikes, and our Iraqi partners’ strikes by the Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army artillery positioned near the border,” the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) said.

“Despite their significant sacrifices thus far in the fight against [IS], the multi-ethnic Syrian Democratic Forces remain committed to liberating the people of northeastern Syria from [IS’] control and putting an end to the human suffering in the area,” CJTF-OIR stated.

Last month, the SDF announced it was relaunching efforts to clear IS from the few areas in Syria where they maintain a presence, including in the eastern oil-rich region of Deir al-Zor near the Iraqi border.

Two weeks ago, the SDF gained control of Baghuz village, a strategic base on the Euphrates River and the border with Iraq, adjacent to Syrian government areas.

With the latest developments, the SDF has severed IS supply lines from Iraq, leaving them with virtually no escape routes along the eastern bank of the Euphrates.

The eastern area of the Euphrates River, from Raqqa to Deir al-Zor, is a significant, strategic region for IS, its primary source of economic viability.

The area contains the most abundant gas and oilfields as well as power plants.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany