Sipa via AP Images
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that it captured the strategic town of Suwaydan on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside on December 12. According to the SDF, 273 ISIS fighters were killed during 12 days of clashes in Suwaydan. Moreover, the SDF captured 8 vehicles and a VBIED of ISIS there.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the US-led coalition US Army Colonel Ryan Dillon announced that the SDF captured 6km2 along the eastern bank of the Euphrates on December 13. The spokesman stressed on Twitter that ISIS might be weak now, but it remains a threat.
From its side, the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq announced that ISIS snipers killed three fighters of the SDF in Suwaydan on December 12 and 13. ISIS snipers also destroyed an vehicle of the SDF with heavy anti-material rifle, according to Amaq.
Several villages and towns on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, including the town of Hajin, are still in the hands of ISIS. The SDF will likely need some time to clear the entire eastern bank from the terrorist group.
