Daesh-held land between Azaz and Jarabulus decreases in operation

Ersin Çelik
11:1731/08/2016, Wednesday
U: 31/08/2016, Wednesday
Yeni Şafak

Euphrates Shield operation recovers a 400-square-kilometer area from terrorists Daesh and PKK/PYD through Turkey-supported Free Syrian Army; the terrorist-held region between Azaz and Jarabulus decreases from 52 to 25 km

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) has taken control of the 400-square-kilometer area with a depth of 24 kilometers from the Turkish border after the first week of the Euphrates Shield operation, which was initiated by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) as a support to FSA soldiers to clear the terrorist elements from the northern Syria.



With the retaken lands from the terrorists; the gap between Azaz and Jarabulus decreased to 25 kilometers from 52.



FSA is reported to have rescued 38 villages from Daesh and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) and reached Sacu Creek of the Euphrates River.





The Syrian opposition also reached the outskirts of Çobanbey town, located opposite of the Turkish province of Kilis. Three of the total 38 rescued villages are of Çobanbey town.



Four buses of FSA soldiers along with a number of armored cars were sent to Jarabulus through Karkamış Border Gate of Turkey on Tuesday amid the continuous operation.




Tunnel closed, mines cleared



Meanwhile, the security forces have been clearing the mine traps planted by the Daesh terrorists in the region.



Also the tunnels excavated by the Daesh are being closed. The tunnels were being used to hide from the observation of the unmanned aerial vehicles of the U.S. and protect themselves from the land operations.





Earlier in August, the PKK/PYD captured Manbij town, taking control away from the Daesh terrorists, which was a move against the guarantee the United States (U.S.) gave to Turkey that PKK/PYD will not pass west of the Euphrates River.



The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and air forces of the U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition initiated the operation named "Euphrates Shield" against the terror group on August 24.



The operation continues on its seventh day as more villages are retaken from Daesh and the PYD.



#Daesh
#Syria
#Euphrates Shield operation
#Azaz
#Jarabulus
#Turkey
#FSA
#PKK/PYD