Reuters reports that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition, have assumed complete control of Deir ez-Zor, a city in eastern Syria.
According to Reuters, citing two eastern Syrian security sources, the SDF secured full control of Deir ez-Zor by Friday afternoon. The SDF also reportedly controls several Aleppo neighborhoods besieged by Islamist insurgents.
Local activists with city contacts informed Reuters that Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed Iraqi fighters withdrew from Deir ez-Zor before the SDF’s arrival.
An Iraqi security source indicated that the SDF is advancing toward Albukamal, a border town potentially falling within 24 hours.
This SDF advance follows last week’s offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, which has pushed back government forces in Aleppo and Idlib, encircling Hama on Thursday and reportedly advancing toward Homs.
SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi reportedly stated on Friday that the SDF has been in contact with HTS. As quoted by Rudaw Media Network, Abdi told journalists at a Friday press conference, “We have contact with Tahrir al-Sham through many channels, typically regarding the protection of our people in Aleppo. Apparently, we have never clashed with them.”
Formed in 2015, the SDF, a broad coalition of Kurdish and Arab militias, has fought Islamic State (IS) terrorists, seizing their territory in eastern Syria. The group faces opposition from Turkey, which links the SDF to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), designated a terrorist group by Ankara.
In late 2019, SDF-affiliated groups reportedly claimed a strength of approximately 40,000 fighters. The US provides advisory support with roughly 900 troops assisting Syrian Kurdish forces.
A US official told The War Zone this week that the US military backed an SDF offensive near Deir ez-Zor. The official, remaining anonymous, stated, “They requested support and we supported them,” declining further comment.