Syria: US commander condemns "actions by third parties to disrupt counter-ISIS operations"

Syria: US commander condemns "actions by third parties to disrupt counter-ISIS operations"
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After 11 people were recently killed in Syria by Turkish airstrikes, CJTF-OIR commander has condemned "actions by third parties who attempt to disrupt counter-ISIS operations."

The US military command that oversees the joint military actions against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria released a communication on Thursday regarding "recent military activity in northeast Syria", without naming Turkey, a NATO ally, who has ramped up its air and artillery attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the region in the past weeks.

The press release of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent resolve (CJTF-OIR) informed that the members of the Global Coalition met with local community leaders Tuesday in al-Hasakah, Syria, to "discuss community members' concerns about recent military activity in northeast Syria."

The commander of CJTF-OIR, Major General John Brennan was quoted saying:

“By providing our partners with resources and support, we contribute to their continued development into a self-sufficient security force providing safety and stability for their communities.”

Brennan condemned "actions by third party actors who attempt to disrupt [counter-ISIS] operations and threaten the security of the civilian population."

“We denounce the killing of civilians by any and all armed groups,” Brennan said, adding, "The Coalition and our SDF partners remain steadfast in our shared goal of ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS.”

11 people, two children, a civilian adult and eight SDF fighters, were killed by Turkish drone strikes in northeast Syria in the last six days.

About SDF

The SDF, the armed forces of the Autonomous Administration of North and Syria (AANES), is part of the Global Coalition.

In March 2019, the ISIS suffered a territorial defeat as it lost the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani against the SDF, who was assisted by CJTF-OIR airstrikes, artillery, and special forces.

The jihadist group was forced into an insurgency following its defeat.