ARA News
Raqqa – Islamic State (ISIS) militants on Tuesday attacked the pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the town of Ain Issa. The jihadists fired mortars rounds at the local SDF’s headquarters, which is located in Syria’s northeastern Raqqa Governorate.
“At least three SDF fighters were killed and seven others wounded in the shelling,” local media activist Abdullah Omar told ARA News. “The bombardment also caused the destruction of a SDF security building in central Ain Issa.”
The town of Ain Issa straddles the M-4 International Highway and abuts an SDF military installation, formerly known as the Brigade 93 base. While the town was once home to nearly 8,000 people its strategic location has resulted in the town being an epicenter for clashes. Today, Ain Issa is a heavily mined, pockmarked, ghost town.
The town is used by the SDF to plan their military operations against ISIS jihadists in the vicinity of Raqqa city – a de facto capital of the self-declared Caliphate. Ain Issa also serves as a waypoint for SDF fighters patrolling the M-4.
Tuesday’s mortar barrage followed airstrikes by the US-led coalition that hit ISIS security centres in Raqqa. Scores of ISIS militants were killed.
Omar told ARA News: “ISIS is aware that the coalition’s airstrikes are aimed at paving the way for the SDF to continue their progress against the group in Raqqa.”
Reporting by: Haytham Mustafa | Source: ARA News