Daesh takes opposition-held Çobanbey on Turkish border

Daesh terrorist network reportedly retook the largest Turkmen town, Çobanbey, which had been controlled by Syrian opposition forces since late Thursday.

Reports said that Daesh launched a car bomb attack in Çobanbey after infiltrating it on Sunday night. When opposition fighters responded them with heavy fire, fierce clashes sparked in and around the town. During the sudden offensive, opposition groups lost control of the town and nearby villages of Kasacık, Tat Humus, Tal Safir, Karagöz and Tel Ahmar.

A local source has confirmed to Yeni Şafak reporter that fierce clashes are still underway around the town, particularly in Tel Şair and Tel Batal hills.

Opposition factions fighting in northern Syria had broken the Daesh siege in the town with the help of Turkey on April 7. US-backed opposition groups, largely Turkmen brigades, fought against the extremist group for nearly a week before ensuring temporary control in the town.

Çobanbey is vital for Daesh because it is a point equidistant to Azaz, Mera, Jarablus and Munbij regions. The town, bordering Turkey, is among the first towns, seized by Daesh during its campaign in 2015. Daesh views Çobanbey as its main stronghold in the countryside of Aleppo.

Before the Syrian civil war began in 2011, Çobanbey was home to 40,000 Syrian Turkmens. After Daesh captured the town in 2015, it still contained 15,000 civilians. Almost all civilians in the town fled to Turkey when clashes between Daesh and opposition groups intensified.