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Kurdish, Assyrian and Arab fighters took back almost 200 villages since the end of October and seized hundreds of weapons and vehicles from the Islamic State group.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) released a balance sheet with the tally of wins and losses, pinning the death toll at 493 on the side of the IS group, 33 from the SDF and four civilians. The alliance was created in mid-October between the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and various rebel militias. Spokesperson Colonel Talal Ali Selo said that they received help from airstrikes by a US-led coalition.
In total, the forces reclaimed 1,362 square kilometers and took in 112 IS group prisoners in the southern part of the Hasaka province, in the northeast. Selo told ANF News that the SDF would continue until it liberated the rest of the Hasaka countryide.
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“The south of Hesekê and Hawl is a strategic area for ISIS gangs,” he told ANF news, refering to the Islamic State. “After the fall of Tal Abyad, they transferred their base to this area, where ISIS could get broadly organized.”
On Friday, Yazidi and Kurdish forces liberated Mount Shengal, and Turkish troops withdrew from the self-ruling Kurdish district of Silvan after a 12-day siege.
The same day, Iraqi forces gained back northern Ramadi, a strategic area close to the Anbar operation command. The victory is important to prevent future IS group attacks, allowing for a takeback of the Anbar province, according to Azal Fahdawi, member of the Anbar provincial council. The Iraqi army also partnered with Kurds to win Shingal, where the Iraqi flag was raised on Monday.
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A #YPJ fighter removing ISIS signs on the streets of newly liberated Al Hawl #TwitterKurds #YPG pic.twitter.com/yXqKi5Abtz
— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc)
November 15, 2015
#YPJ Kurdish guard women cheer near #Houl town in #Hasaka,after #Kurds took control of the area,Nov.14,#TwitterKurds pic.twitter.com/XitjUnqg8Q
— ✌☮#UpTheRebels☮✌ (@Chara_fc)
November 15, 2015
#photooftheday A soldier helps villagers return home after Syrian Democratic Forces retook town near #Hasaka, #Syria pic.twitter.com/gjTuvVWRTp
— Syria Pulse (@TheSyriaPulse)
November 12, 2015
