'We expect it to be over soon' - US-backed SDF in Baghouz

Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The fight against ISIS in al-Baghouz, Syria, is expected "to be over soon," stated the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday which are backed by the US-led international coalition.

"We expect it to be over soon," Mustafa Bali, the spokesperson for the SDF media office, tweeted on Saturday morning.


"SDF’s been advancing on two fronts into Daesh-held territory since yesterday evening. Heavy clashes are taking place atm [at the moment]. 3 SDF fighters got wounded so far. No information on casualties of ISIS yet," he added. 

People speaking Kurdish apparently holding a mobile device with a map of the area explain that their comrades are advancing in a video released by the Peoples' Protection Units (YPG).


Rudaw could not independently verify the video.

They added that "our friends" have come from Hasakah, an apparent reference to YPG reinforcing the SDF in Baghouz.

YPG also described overnight clashes as "heavy."

"SDF forces are advancing on 5 fronts," they wrote on Facebook. "They face an estimated 1000-1500 ISIS fighters and difficult terrain: suicide bombers, mines and a large tunnel network."


Later on Saturday, Bali posted video from the outskirts of al-Baghouz town showing destroyed buildings and an SDF fighter firing an AK-47 from behind cover. 


The Women's Defense Units (YPJ), the female counterpart to the YPG, said ISIS fighters are the taking "their last breath" because they are "besieged."

"Their weapons depots have been targeted," added the YPJ. "Six positions ISIS had been using against the advancing forces have been reclaimed from the group."

 

The Rojava Information Center, a media outlet close to the ruling Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, reported the US-led coalition only conducted two air strikes on Saturday.

 

 

The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS says it will continue to support efforts in Syria, but did not reveal the number of its strikes in Syria on Saturday.

 

"The Coalition continues to support the SDF with airstrikes when needed, and our multifaceted advise and assist role," its spokesperson told Rudaw English on Saturday evening.

 

US Army Col. Sean Ryan explained that the situation in al-Baghouz is very dynamic, but the SDF is doing "outstanding work."

 

US Army Col. Sean Ryan, the spokesperson for the US-led anti-ISIS coalition, updates Pentagon reporters in June 2018 on the fight against ISIS. File photo: US DoD

 

"The SDF is doing outstanding work dealing with the situation at hand," said Ryan explaining it is too early to give an assessment in al-Baghouz because it is a "complicated matter with many variables."

 

The SDF restarted its operation in al-Baghouz on Friday night after a lull following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a full troop withdrawal from Syria in December and Turkish threats to commence an operation into northeast Syria, or Rojava. 

 

Trump announced on February 22 that he would keep 400 US forces in Syria, but he did not specify a timetable for the withdrawal of the more than 2,000 forces already in Syria. 

 

The coalition's Operation Roundup began on May 1, 2018, with the aim to clear ISIS from the Middle Euphrates River Valley — the group's last bastion east of the river.

 

Update: 6:50 p.m.