The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have launched a counter-offensive against Turkish-backed militants south of the border town of Ras al-Ayn in northern al-Hasakah.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed early on October 31 that the Kurdish-led group managed to recapture the villages of Abu Rasin, al-Manakh, al-Sibatiyah, Rajlah al-Hamrah, and al-Qasimiyah.
Militants of the so-called Syrian National Army (SNA) captured these five villages and few others on October 30 with direct support from the Turkish military.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the SDF clashed with the militants. However, they initially failed to halt the militants’’ advance. As a result, several army units opted to withdraw from the area.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@suriyegundemiEN) on Twitter.
The SNA attack was a major violation of Turkey’s agreement with Russia and the U.S. This violation was not the first by Turkish-backed militants and won’t likely be the last.
