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Syria
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) discovered a weapons cache and tunnel system during an operation against ISIS near Izba, Deir ez-Zor on July 3, 2021. Photo: handout/SDF
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) made 245 arrests and lost fourteen of their fighters in operations against the Islamic State group (ISIS) and Turkish-backed Syrian militias in the first half of this year, the SDF announced on Wednesday.
“Thirty-four operations against Daesh [ISIS] were conducted during which 245 mercenaries were arrested and three mercenaries were killed during the clashes,” the SDF stated.
They also uncovered a tunnel used by the militants and seized “a large quantity” of ammunition and explosives.
ISIS seized control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014. The last of its so-called caliphate was defeated in Syria in 2019, but the group remains a threat on both sides of the border. Many of the SDF’s operations have been focused in the border areas where in late May they arrested 24 ISIS suspects across 53 locations.
The SDF also clashed repeatedly with Turkish-backed forces, despite a ceasefire, during the first six months of this year.
“The Turkish army and its mercenaries have bombed the Ain Issa countryside and Tal Tamr 206 times and more than 10 ground attacks that were confronted by our forces,” said the SDF. Fourteen of their fighters were killed in these clashes.
Turkey and Syrian militias it backs have conducted three military campaigns in northern Syria since 2016 and now control Afrin, areas north of Aleppo, and pockets of territories in the northeast. In 2019, the US and Russia negotiated ceasefires between Turkey and the SDF and have conducted joint patrols with Turkish troops to maintain the truce.
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