SDF progresses against Islamic State near borders with Iraq
A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter carries his weapon as he stands near Raqqa city, Syria June 14, 2017. Picture taken June 14, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said
“The international coalition jets launched airstrikes against regions in al-Desheisha village, simultaneously with shelling by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the artillery of the coalition,” it added.
The shelling and the confrontations, according to the observatory, “left tens of militants killed, while others fled the region.”
On Sunday, the coalition announced launching the second phase of operations against Islamic State in al-Desheisha, east of Syria.
The operations are carried out in cooperation with SDF, the Iraqi fighter jets and the artillery located near Iraqi-Syrian borders.
In December, army forces announced full control on the Euphrates basin, after eliminating militants at Deir az-Zour and al-Mayadin cities.
The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.
Iraqi warplanes launched, last month, a new wave of air raids against outposts of the Islamic State group in Syria.
In April, Abadi denied intentions to intervene within Syrian affairs, saying airstrikes against Islamic State will continue.
Iraq had previously announced launching airstrikes against IS locations in Syria. This came after Abadi said security troops will follow IS militants in the whole region, not only in Iraq.