IS LOSES TAL ABYAD BORDER CITY BETWEEN SYRIA, TURKEY

The map of Syria conflict, June 16, 2015. (Image: AA)

Tal Abyad, Syria, 29 Sha’ban 1436/16 June 2015 (MINA) – The Free Syrian Army and the Syrian-Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) on Monday have taken control of the city of Tal Abyad, which borders Turkey, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter.

In Tal Abyad, Kurdish groups planted their flags in three different locations, including the customs house. Moreover, the Free Syrian Army planted their flag 300 meters away from the border gate.

Meanwhile, clashes are still taking place intermittently in Tal Abyad, local sources said, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Islamic State (IS) has lost one of its most important strongholds in Syria, in the city of Tal Abyad, as well as its first border crossing since the group’s expansion.

Abdel Karim Abeed, a brigade commander in the Free Syrian Army, told Anadolu Agency that “the assault on the city began on Monday morning, when the combined forces were able to reach al-Jallab [area] east of the city”.

Abeed added that following the offensive, a large number of IS fighters fled the city and tens of them turned themselves in. (T/P001/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)