Kurdish-led SDF liberate strategic IS stronghold NE Syria

HASAKAH, Syrian Kurdistan (K24) – The Kurdish-led alliance of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the US-led strikes, liberated a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) extremists in northeastern Syria on Friday.

A K24 correspondent reported that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by US air strikes, took control of Shadadi in a three-day operation called Wrath of Khabur.

SDF began a new operation in Hasakeh province on Tuesday and had been advancing towards Al-Shadadi in recent days.

SDF said in a statement released on Friday that during the first two days of the operation, SDF combatants liberated 48 villages as they advanced towards the Shadadi town from two directions: Abdul Aziz Mount (Mount Kizwan in Kurdish) and the town of Hawl.

At least 35 IS extremists were killed around Hawl, while four SDF fighters lost their lives. 

Al-Shadadi contains hundreds of oil wells and gas fields, including the al-Jabseh gas fields which is considered one of the largest in Syria. IS gained control of al-Shadadi more than two years ago and used it as a major rallying point for its forces.
IS also used to rely on al-Shadadi to secure and gather local fighters who would use the city as a stronghold to launch repeated attacks on the city of Hasakah and its western countryside.

Reporting by Hisham Arafat

Editing by Ava Homa