FILE IMAGE: sdf-press.com
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured 27 positions around the villages of al-Baghuz Fawqani and al-Kasrah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, during the last 48 hours, the SDF’s media center reported on September 12.
According to the media center, US-backed forces killed 41 ISIS fighters and destroyed several artillery pieces and bulldozers. Furthermore, US-led coalition warplanes conducted 10 airstrikes on positions of the terrorist group in al-Baghuz Fawqani and al-Kasrah.
Meanwhile, the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq reported that ISIS members ambushed a unit of the SDF near al-Baghuz Fawqani a day earlier. The terrorist group claimed that 6 SDF fighters were killed and one other was captured during the ambush.
The SDF launched a ground operation to eliminate the last ISIS-held pocket in the Euphrates Valley on September 11. US-backed forces are expected to face some difficulties during this operation because most of the terrorists, who are hiding in the pocket, are highly-experienced and well-armed.
