dozens of #ISIS fighters were killed overnight in the last operation against #Baghouz, and at least one arms depot destroyed. 2 attempted suicide attacks were also foiled.
#SDF forces are advancing slowly through the camp due to a high concentration of mines.
[UPDATE]
The final advance against #ISIS in #Baghouz was paused last night around 00.00 midnight local time.
Advances made by all 5 frontline forces, only 1 #SDF injury reported so far.
Drones overhead and 2 airstrikes in the last minutes, otherwise all quiet on the front.
Since the resumption of operations yesterday 11 airstrikes have been carried out.
No firm figure on #ISIS casualties, 4 #SDF soldiers have been injured and 1 killed.
Still relatively quiet at the front save for sporadic fire, but expected to heat up again now as darkness falls.
Heavy airstrikes ongoing since 21.30 local time, along with ground clashes.
Isis are concentrated by the hill. Some try to escape via the river.
[UPDATE]
More than 38 #ISIS fighters confirmed killed in this last operation.
3 #SDF fighters also lost their lives, and 10 were wounded.
Over 20 airstrikes have destroyed military vehicles, defensive fortifications, ammunition dumps and a command post.
[ON THE GROUND]
#SDF fighters prepare their weapons and unload a DShKa heavy machine gun on the front against #ISIS in #Baghouz last night.
[ON THE GROUND]
Fires rage in the #ISIS-held camp, following overnight airstrikes and #SDF bombardment.
both men and women have continued to surrender throughout the last phase of fighting, and some children have also been recovered from the camp.
[ON THE GROUND]
The last 3 trucks left #Baghouz as hundreds of #ISIS fighters and families surrendered today.
#SDF are firing on ISIS with artillery and DShK, while ISIS responding with DShK. At the moment no air activity
Planes have passed overhead and left and flares are falling to light the camp, but no bombing yet.
Fires burning in the camp, likely more ammunition dumps and vehicles have been struck
1500-2000 #ISIS fighters have surrendered in the last 24 hours per #SDF
the operation has started again after a short pause. DShKa machine guns and artillery firing on the camp.
Even today, at least one more #Yazidi woman and her child were among those rescued from the camp.
There was a large Turkish presence among the fighters surrendering today.
[UPDATE]
latest #SDF figures since yesterday morning: at least 3000 #ISIS members surrendered, at least 3 #Yazidi women and 4 children among those extracted from the camp.
airstrikes in the last minutes. planes still overhead
[ON THE GROUND]
Heavy war continued until 6.30 AM local time with air strikes, artillery and DShKa fire.
ISIS responded with at least 2 suicide attacks, ground fighting is still ongoing.
2/ Clashes on the ground are being slowed by mines and ISIS' use of their tunnel network to come up behind the #SDF lines.
Nonetheless SDF are in the camp and fighting on the ground.
[BREAKING]
#ISIS counter-attack is underway in #Baghouz, making use of the smoke from fires in the camp to advance on #SDF lines.
The counter-attack is heavy, but so far #SDF have repelled it without casualties.
#ISIS are attempting to use suicide bombers, but without success.
Some images from the last 48 hours of combat with #ISIS in the #Baghouz pocket.
Here, #SDF fire rains down on the camp during heavy overnight clashes.
Smoke rises from the camp, where entrenched #ISIS militants have continued to put up heavy resistance with VBIEDs, suicide bombers, heavy weapons and mines.
No-one exited the camp last night.
Heavy fighting continued throughout the night, but relatively calm now.
[ON THE GROUND]
Today approx 1200 people left #Baghouz, the majority of whom were #ISIS fighters - some accompanied by their families.
There were many foreigners among them.
#SDF forces on the #Baghouz front today, captured by our photographer preparing their weapons and resting between assaults.
fierce fighting and difficult weather conditions have slowed the SDF's advance through the camp.
"IDPs are now pouring into NES. SNA factions have harassed & harmed women. In one incident, a group took a 3-year-old from his mother. Women have witnessed the killing, slaughtering & injuring of people."
"It took 2-3 days for people to reach NES. During that time, women experienced incredibly dangerous and traumatic circumstances. They saw their husbands, brothers, and sisters being beaten - this is severe harm. And some have also been kidnapped."
"As a woman who has lived through the painful experience of displacement, I know first-hand how difficult it is. We all know that during displacement, women are often the most affected and face the greatest challenges, especially when it comes to taking care of their children."
December 5 situation update on the Northern Syria offensive:
📌IDPs arriving in Tabqa tell of verbal abuse, property theft, kidnapping, physical violence from the SNA while on the road out of Shehba, with many travelling for days on foot. rojavainformationcenter.org/2024/12/update…
📌85,000 IDPs from Aleppo and environs have reached North and East Syria (NES), as the DAANES estimates that IDP numbers will soon reach 120,000
📌Thousands sleeping outside in freezing conditions, multiple deaths reported, urgent need for shelter and other humanitarian relief.
📌DAANES and SDF claim 15,000 civilians remain stranded in Shehba, unable to leave and being subjected to human rights abuses at the hands of the SNA.
📌Grave risk of imminent Turkish-backed assault against DAANES-governed Manbij, with multi-ethnic population of c.300K.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have been advancing and gaining territories from the Syrian government in the southern and eastern countryside of Aleppo since November 26 - the most significant conflict following a 2020 ceasefire brokered between Turkey and Russia.
The SDF have been deployed to the DAANES-controlled neighborhoods of Aleppo, Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiye. These neighborhoods are home to tens of thousands of Kurds and have maintained autonomy from both Assad and HTS despite heavy fighting throughout the conflict.
The Syrian government has been retreating from some areas. There are reported 200+ casualties to date including executed students.
DAANES is facilitating the return of over 2,000 residents from Sheikh Maqsood into contiguous regions under SDF/DAANES control.
"The theories Turkey are advancing [Ankara attackers coming from Syria] are not true. Turkey wants to legitimize its attacks. The primary aim of the attacks is to destroy our people's existence."
"These attacks are war crimes. All intl. agreements, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, say civilian infrastructure and civilians should not be a target. It is forbidden. But as has been seen, Turkey violates this. No other states raise their voice against this."
"Turkey wants to create refugees, change the identity of this region. This is a mode of genocide. Murder, creating poverty and hunger, cutting off water, cutting off the essentials of life, aim to destroy our people, make them refugees, make that no one can live in this land."
Across January 27th and 28th, the city of Qamishlo hosted North and East Syria's inaugural technology fair.
24 inventors and companies participated in the event, which was organized by the telecommunications company Rcell, presenting a variety of applications and devices.
The exhibited projects ranged from large-scale solar panels for agricultural use to innovative applications in health care, as well as surveillance technology for private owners.
Among the the exhibitors there were also students of the University of Rojava.
Recently graduated from the faculties of Mechatronics, Engineering, and the Institute of Technical Sciences, they presented their technological innovations including a smart farming project and...
Yesterday, Iraq's Ministry of Migration and Displacement announced the repatriation of 584 people from al-Hol camp, marking Iraq's first repatriation mission since October. The camp's Iraqi population now stands at 26,875, comprising over half of the total inhabitants.
Those leaving al-Hol camp will be sent to al-Jada camp in Iraq's Nineveh governorate. With this most recent repatriation mission, the total number of Iraqi citizens repatriated from NES since 2017 rises to 11,484. This includes those repatriated from prisons as well as camps.
A few days after Iraq's new government, under PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, was sworn in on October 27th, the Minister of Migration & Displacement suspended the return of displaced Iraqis from al-Hol camp, citing the need for a more robust humanitarian and security mechanism.