The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) have repelled the Turkish-led attack on the town of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the SDF and the SAA recaptured all the positions which were occupied by Turkish-backed militants on November 23, including the villages of Saida, al-Mu’alk and the town’s refugee camp.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@Suriyakmaps) on Twitter.
After the withdrawal of all Turkish-backed militants, Turkish combat drones carried out a series of airstrikes on the outskirts of Ain Issa.
“Cautious calm is prevailing over the region following the fierce battles yesterday, Saturday, and Turkish airstrikes this morning [November 24],” the SOHR’s report reads.
The SDF is now reportedly conducting a combing operation in the recaptured villages in order to remove any mines or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which may have been planted by Turkish-backed militants.
The Turkish-led attack on Ain Issa violated Ankara’s recent agreements with both Russia and the U.S. The upcoming few days may witness more similar provocations.
It’s plain and simple a fight for the highway, the SAA desperately need it for logistic purposes, but the Turks don’t really need it at all, they just want it. So I think the SAA will put up a hell of a fight to keep the highway in their hands, and if the SDF are going to help do it, the Turks will have a really hard time taking it away from them.