US-backed forces launch 'final' operation against Daesh strongholds
The White House on Tuesday announced that the
US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have renewed operations "to
liberate the final Daesh strongholds in Syria,", Deutsche Welle reported.
"These last Daesh strongholds retain the
remnants of its leadership and hardcore foreign fighters," said Brett
McGurk, the US envoy for the global coalition against Daesh. "The battle
will take time, but we have full confidence in our partners and certain they
will prevail."
The announcement coincided with reports that 23
civilians were killed in airstrikes in the Hasakeh province, where US-backed
forces launched their latest operation. However, the UK-based Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said it was unclear "if the US-led
international coalition or Iraqi forces carried out the strike."
The US-led coalition against Daesh has been
criticized for failing to do more to protect civilian lives during its
operations in Syria and Iraq. But the coalition has said it takes every
precaution to minimize civilian casualties.
The Kurdish-led SDF has been a crucial on-the-ground
partner for the coalition. Last year, it liberated Raqqa, long considered the
de facto capital of the militant group.
"The main aim of this battle will be to
continue liberating the few areas which Daesh still controls near the border
with Iraq," SDF spokesman Gabriel Kino said. The mission is "to end
the presence of Daesh from areas in the eastern Euphrates and eastern Syria in
general."
Although US President Donald Trump has signaled his
desire to pull US troops out of Syria, Nauert said Washington will "ensure
that there is a strong and lasting footprint in Syria such that Daesh cannot
return," according to State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. (MENA)
