14 Islamic State members killed in confrontations against SDF, east of Syria

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the U.S.-led Coalition, have announced retaking a strategic village and inflicting huge losses in lives on Islamic State in its last bastion, east of Euphrates.

In a statement, SDF said “counter-terrorism battles have achieved progress and inflicted losses in lives and equipment on the enemy. It liberated half of al-Sousah.”

The coalition jets, according to the statement, carried out seven airstrikes against Islamic State locations in al-Bagoz, al-Sousah and Hajin cities.

“The confrontations in these fronts left 14 militants killed, while two SDF fighters were killed and three others injured,” it added.

Speaking to BasNews, a source from SDF said “our campaign against Islamic State will last for longer than the expected due to the sandstorm that hits the region from one side, in addition to using civilians as human shields by the militants from another side.”

The group also, according, to the source, planted explosives in its last stronghold, which includes villages of al-Bagoz, Hajin, al-Shaafa, al-Sousah, Abu Khater and abul Hassan.

In September, each of the Coalition and SDF announced the launch of operations, east of Euphrates.

SDF controls 28 percent of the Syrian lands, becoming the second controller of lands, after the regime forces, which control around 60 percent.