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On May 20, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a large-scale attack on ISIS positions in the town of Hajin along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside, according to the Syrian pro-opposition news outlet Enab Baladi.
Enab Baladi said that warplanes of the US-led coalition as well as French special forces are currently supporting the SDF attack on Hajin. However, the US-backed force havs not managed to capture any position yet.
Hajin is considered the last stronghold of ISIS in the Euphrates River valley. Over 1,500 fighters of ISIS are believed to be hiding in the town and several villages north and south of it.
The SDF successfully isolated the remaining fighters of ISIS in Hajin and the areas around it from the Syrian-Iraqi border on May 14 after capturing the key village of al-Baghuz, 30km south of Hajin.
Local observers believe that the SDF will not be able to capture Hajin soon as ISIS fighters there are well-experienced and heavily armed. Earlier this year, ISIS repelled two large attacks by the SDF on Hajin despite the heavy bombardment of the US-led coalition.
