On February 14, fighters of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured large parts of the village of al-Bahrah north of the last stronghold of ISIS in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside, the town of Hajin, according to several Syrian opposition sources.
The Syrian pro-opposition news outlet Deir Ezzor 24 even released a video of SDF fighters inside al-Bahrah.
الآن · #د24:
فيديو يظهر سيطرة مجلس ديرالزور العسكري على أجزاء واسعة من بلدة #البحرة بريف #ديرالزور الشرقي pic.twitter.com/fu88PdM7zP— ديرالزور24 (@DeirEzzor24) February 14, 2018
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed that the US-backed forces captured most of al-Bahrah. However, the SDF’s media center has not released any statements regarding the situation in southeastern Deir Ezzor since the beginning of the Turkish Army attack on the Afrin area on January 20.
Meanwhile, local sources reported that the US-led coalition supported the SDF attack and conducted dozens of airstrikes against ISIS positions in southeastern Deir Ezzor, mainly in the village of al-Susah, 25km south of al-Bahrah.
From its side, the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq said that ISIS snipers had killed two fighters of the SDF during the clashes inside al-Bahrah. Five other fighters of the SDF were killed when ISIS fighters targeted their position around al-Bahrah with an ATGM, according to Amaq.
Observers believe that US-backed forces will launch a new attack on ISIS positions south of Hajin once al-Bahrah is secured. Such attack could allow the SDF to besiege ISIS fighters inside Hajin.
The reports I have heard say there is no SDF , but rather the “Dier Ezzor Military Council ” which reports directly to the US , SDF has no control over them . T
As far as I know the four military councils are part of the SDF overall command. The DMC is completely or almost completely arab and likely, given the population of the region, largely or even totally arab tribesman.
It is likely they are paid something and I have heard $100 a month being mentioned.
US are illegally in Syria and funny how they are so possessive, with regards Syrian natural resources, water and oil/gas fields.