The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurdish militia People’s Protection Units (YPG), have claimed to have detained more than 50 suspected Islamic State members as part of a new offensive launched on Thursday with the collaboration of the international coalition led by the United States.
The SDF said in a statement that the ‘Jazira Thunderbolt’ operation is continuing for the second day against «Islamic State terrorist cells in the areas of Al Hol and Tal Hamis.» «The joint forces have arrested 52 terrorists and facilitators who were sheltering in residential areas and farms,» they said.
They have also stressed that «the joint forces have expanded the area of the sweeping operations, which started in nine axes, after some terrorists tried to pressure the local population to give them an escape route.» «Pre-emptive and surprise raids have prevented all escape attempts by the terrorists, forcing them to surrender,» they added.
«According to initial investigations, the terrorists have confessed their involvement in many terrorist acts and in delivering materials, resources and weapons to Islamic State terrorist cells, one of which was preparing terrorist acts during the New Year holidays,» they detailed.
«Due to the densely populated area where Islamic State cells exploit humanitarian conditions, our forces have taken their time to capture them. Our forces will continue operations to wipe out terrorist strongholds in the area, destroy their hideouts and ensure security,» they have remonstrated.
The SDF on Thursday criticized Turkey for its attacks on Kurdish groups in northern Syria and said that «Islamic State terrorist cells» have taken advantage of this juncture to «spread their brutality again and increase their criminal activity.» The bombings prompted a temporary suspension of joint SDF and international coalition operations.
Turkey launched Operation ‘Sword Claw’ on November 21, a bombing campaign against Kurdish groups following the November 13 bombing in Istanbul, which left six dead and more than 80 wounded. Ankara has accused the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and said that the main suspect had taken orders from the YPG, although both the PKK and the SDF have disassociated themselves from the attack.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
