Abu Dhabi: The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is set to launch a major offensive against the last remaining Daesh stronghold on the eastern side of the Euphrates Valley in Syria, as the coalition seeks to finally drive the terrorists out of the area.
Colonel Sean Ryan, spokesperson for the US Central Command’s operations against Daesh in Syria and Iraq, briefed reporters at the US embassy in Abu Dhabi on Sunday about the planned offensive to retake the town of Hajin from Daesh. This will be part of the third phase of ‘Operation Roundup’. Launched in May, the operation is aimed at clearing the last remnants of Daesh east of the Euphrates.
“While ground offensives have not begun yet, Operation Roundup is aimed at accelerating the defeat of Daesh in the last territory it holds in the middle of the Euphrates River Valley,” said Colonel Ryan, who also said the offensive has been slowed down due of hundreds of IEDs planted by Daesh.
“While the SDF is preparing for the offensive, they are also enabling the safe passage of civilians that are leaving Hajin … [and are also] ensuring that the [Daesh] fighters attempting to flee the area are apprehended. Many have tried to go through the area and many have been apprehended,” he added.
According to Colonel Ryan, many of the remaining Daesh fighters left in the town are foreign fighters.
“When their ideology is to stay and fight till the end and the leaders are taking off with the resources, that’s not a very good internal sign for them, and that’s what we’re seeing now.”
