South Front
File image.
On April 27, two fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed and three others were wounded when an improvised explosive device planted by ISIS cells blew up their vehicle in the countryside of the northeastern Syrian governorate of Raqqa.
The attack took place on a highway linking Raqqa city with the town of Huzajma, some 20 kilometers to the north. ISIS confirmed its responsibility for the attack in a statement that was released by its official news agency, Amaq.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, this was the 57th attack by ISIS cells in SDF-held areas in northeastern Syria this year. The London-based monitoring group said that the attack claimed the lives of 31 personnel of the SDF and its affiliates, five civilians and two members of the terrorist group.
The deadly attack came just a few days after the United States-led coalition, the main backer of the SDF, claimed that ISIS activities in Syria and Iraq had significantly decreased since the beginning of the year.
“Thanks to the efforts of our partners, supported by the coalition, we have seen a dramatic decrease in Daesh or ISIS activity and effectiveness across our area of operations,” said the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Commander Major General Matthew McFarlane during an online press briefing on April 24.
“Since the beginning of this year in Iraq – so that’s January 1 to the first week of April – we have seen a record of a 68 percent reduction in attacks when compared to the same period last year. In Syria, where our partners – the Syrian Democratic Forces – continue to lead the fight against Daesh, we recorded a 55 percent decrease during the same time from last year,” added the commander.
The U.S. provides direct military support for the SDF and maintains some 900 troops in Syria under the pretext of fighting ISIS.
American troops hold key oil and gas fields in northeastern Syria and block a strategic highway in the country’s southeastern region. In reality this military presence is meant to munt pressure on Damascus and allies, namely Iran and Russia.
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