ISIS ADVANCES IN KOBANE COUNTRYSIDE AMID KURDISH RETREAT

Kurdish fighters from the YPG during clashes against ISIS militants in the countryside of Kobane. (Photo: ARA News)

Kobane, Syria, 16 Rajab 1436/5 Mei 2015 (MINA) – Subsequent to clashes with militant fighters of the Islamic State (IS/ISIS), the joint forces withdrew from southern areas of Kobane, northern Syria, Kurdish military sources reported on Monday.

Speaking to ARA News in Kobane quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA), Noureddin Gaban, fighter in ranks of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), said that the joint forces withdrew “tactically” from a location southeast of Sirrin town, after IS jihadists launched an offensive during which various kinds of weapons were used.

“In eastern Sirrin, the clashes currently stopped, while still continue north of the town, amid intense sorties by the U.S.-led coalition’s warplanes,” he added.

The Islamic State group carried out an offensive stretching from the village of Mitras to the areas near Jalabiya in the southeastern countryside of Kobane, during which fierce clashes broke out between the group’s militants and the Kurdish YPG forces.

Casualties were reported on both sides during the battles, according to the same source.

This comes days after the departure of the Peshmerga forces from Kobane towards Iraqi Kurdistan, who have been backing Syrian peers in anti-IS operations in Kobane over the last few months. The decision of the Peshmerga to leave Kobane came after the completion of their mission by liberating the city from IS.

The recent advances reported by the IS militants are due to the lack of supportive heavy weapons backing the Kurdish forces. (T/P001/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)