Kurds and Syrian opposition announce Kobane operation to liberate countryside
Kurdish and other opposition forces in Syria announced operation "Euphrates Volcano" on Friday, whose aim is to liberate remaining villages and countryside around the city of Kobane that are still controlled by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).
The special operation involves the Shams al-Shimal, Siwwar al-Reqa and Syrian Free Army (FSA), fighting under the leadership of the Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG).
The forces intend to push the militants out of areas around Kobane that have remained under ISIS control since the Kurdish victory in Kobane in late January.
Mission commanders called on civilians to keep away from war zones where the operation is being launched.
The “Euphrates Volcano” operations were kicked off at a formal ceremony Friday south of Kobane.
The first stage aims at logistical degradation of ISIS by cutting off all road links to its fighters. The goal is to liberate the region of "Til Ebyad" (Gre Spi in Kurdish), and put in place an administration comprised of all the different minorities and sects.
Abu Issa, commander of Siwwar al-Reqa, told Rudaw that his force will work hard to create a regional council from all minorities which would enable protection of the region.
A YPG commander said that the most important element of the operation was to have cooperation among all the forces, Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian and all other minorities, in an effort to arrive at peaceful coexistence.
The special operation involves the Shams al-Shimal, Siwwar al-Reqa and Syrian Free Army (FSA), fighting under the leadership of the Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG).
The forces intend to push the militants out of areas around Kobane that have remained under ISIS control since the Kurdish victory in Kobane in late January.
Mission commanders called on civilians to keep away from war zones where the operation is being launched.
The “Euphrates Volcano” operations were kicked off at a formal ceremony Friday south of Kobane.
The first stage aims at logistical degradation of ISIS by cutting off all road links to its fighters. The goal is to liberate the region of "Til Ebyad" (Gre Spi in Kurdish), and put in place an administration comprised of all the different minorities and sects.
Abu Issa, commander of Siwwar al-Reqa, told Rudaw that his force will work hard to create a regional council from all minorities which would enable protection of the region.
A YPG commander said that the most important element of the operation was to have cooperation among all the forces, Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian and all other minorities, in an effort to arrive at peaceful coexistence.