ISIS, Turkey-Backed Rebels Launch Simultaneous Attacks on Kurdish Positions in Aleppo
Headquarters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo Governorate were exposed to simultaneous attacks by Islamic State’s (ISIS) militants and Turkey-backed rebels of the Euphrates Shield, military sources and activists reported on Wednesday.
The ISIS jihadi fighters bombed SDF positions in the northern countryside of Aleppo with mortar shells. This was coupled with heavy artillery bombardment by the Turkey-backed Euphrates Shield rebels on SDF headquarters east of Aleppo.
More than 20 SDF fighters were killed and dozens wounded in the attacks, according to an SDF officer who spoke to ARA News at the frontline.
The offensives targeted SDF positions in the towns of Hasila, Harbal, Sheikh Issa and Meranaz.
“These simultaneous attacks on our headquarters by ISIS and the Euphrates Shield were definitely coordinated,” SDF officer Habun Osman said.
“Obviously, there is a high-level cooperation and coordination between ISIS terrorists and Turkey’s mercenaries to hit the Syrian Democratic Forces,” the SDF official told ARA News.
In the meantime, the rights activist and member of the Syrian Democratic Council, Rezan Hiddo, reported that rebels of the Euphrates Shield have handed over several villages in Aleppo countryside to ISIS.
“The Turkey-backed rebels of the Euphrates Shield group have delivered the villages of Taltana, Deir Hawa, Alba, Beraan, Homad and Baruza to the Islamic State militants,” Hiddo told ARA News. “This comes as a result of an undeclared agreement between the two groups to fight side by side against the Kurds and allied SDF factions.”
Reporting by: Hozan Mamo
Source: ARA News
