Kurdish fighters repel ISIL attack on Ras al-Ain
Kurdish forces have managed to repel an attack by the Takfiri ISIL militants on the strategic city of Ras al-Ain in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah, according to a London-based monitoring group.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the Kurdish fighters on Thursday pushed back the Takfiri militants who had been trying the gain control of the city since Wednesday.
The militants, however, managed to advance toward the city of Tal Tamr, which is located in the Syrian Province of Hasakah.
The ISIL militants “took over the village of Tal Nasri, so they are now only 500 meters from Tal Tamr,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based group.
The Takfiris planned to take control of the towns of Ras al-Ain as well as Tal Tamr to establish a link with the militants’ positions in the militant-held city of Mosul, in northern Iraq.
Similarly, Iraqi Kurdish fighters drove back the Takfiri terrorists from the northern city of Kirkuk in Iraq on Monday.
According to the Kurdish forces, they managed to retake 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) of land, including several villages, south and west of Kirkuk in an offensive that kicked off at 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT).
Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region Security Council said the Peshmerga fighters took control of a strategic junction connecting Kirkuk to the city of Mosul.
The developments come as Iraqi forces, backed by volunteer fighters, keep advancing in the northern city of Tikrit, a major stronghold of ISIL militants. The operation has so far liberated major parts of the city, which is the hometown of slain Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
The military operation involves a combined force of more than 30,000 fighters both from the Iraqi armed forces and volunteers, known as Popular Mobilization Units. It is the largest operation launched by the government to date and many see it as a prelude to recapturing the northern city of Mosul.
IA/HJL/MHB
Israel launches air strikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossing
US vetoing of Gaza ceasefire resolution ‘disgraceful’: Iran’s UN envoy
Syria condemns Israel's killing of 36 in 'horrific' strike on Palmyra
Nov. 23: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Lindsey Graham threatens to sanction US allies backing ICC arrest warrants
VIDEO | Tens of thousands of Catalans protest to demand access to better housing
Israel launches air strikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossing
Russia: Comprehensive deal with Iran will include defense, security ties
VIDEO | Israeli embassy shooting in Jordan leaves gunman dead, 3 police injured
VIDEO | Paris march in support of Palestine women
VIDEO | ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister, ousted regime war minister
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
