The “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF) has declared the casualties of the its battles against the “Islamic State’s” (IS) militants, which aim at controlling the Hajin enclave in rural Deir ez-Zor.
Yesterday, Wednesday (December 5), “SDF” posted onto its website that the number of the “Islamic State’s” casualties have reached 228 dead militants since last Monday’s confrontations.
The website reported that the U.S.-led coalition has targeted the area 115 times, pointing that the attacks has led to the destruction of 23 positions, where the “Islamic State’s” militants are fortified, six cars, seven DShK machine guns and an anti-aircraft gun.
“SDF” is undertaking military operations backed by the U.S.-led coalition as to take over the Hajin enclave, rural Deir ez-Zor, the last of the “Islamic State’s” strongholds in the eastern area.
The “Islamic State” has killed dozens and captured others of the “SDF” militants in the past a few days, as a result of the violent attacks it launched at several fronts in eastern Deir ez-Zor, according to its Amaaq agency.
Local news networks in Deir ez-Zor governorate, including Furat Post, Euphrates Post, have reported that the “Islamic State” is arresting and executing those proved of being involved with the enemy, in a gesture to “SDF” and the U.S.-led coalition.
This was confirmed by Michelle Bachelet, Spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a press conference, conducted yesterday, December 5.
She stated that the Commissioner for Human Rights has reports indicating that the “Islamic State” is executing those believed to be cooperating with the “Syrian Democratic Forces” or other parties to the conflict.
On November 25, the “Islamic State” put to death one of “SDF’s” captives, of those it captured at one of the Hajin fronts, eastern Deir z-Zor, warning the people that it yet has other captives.
A number of the “Islamic State’s” militants appeared in a video while slaughtering one of “SDF’s” captives, warning the area’s people against sending their sons to fight in “SDF’s” ranks.
The confrontations between the two sides continue under an intermittent missile shelling.
As a result of the on-going battles, thousands of civilians escaped the “SDF” controlled areas, and thousand others stayed in difficult to reach areas, a difficulty arising from the acute battles and the exchanged attacks.
The “Islamic State” is in control of the city of Hajin and its towns and villages, east of the Euphrates, which are its last stronghold in eastern rural Dei ez-Zor.