SDF declares “the start of liberation campaign” of the southern countryside of Ayn al- Arab (Kobani)
Cross-cutting resources informed SOHR activists that violent clashes between SDF and IS around Tishreen Dam area at the east bank of Euphrates river, amid advancement for SDF and seize some IS positions in the area, and leading to kill at least 2 IS militants, their bodies with SDF, the clashes accompanied by airstrikes carried out by warplanes on IS positions near the dam. The clashes erupted after announcement issued by SDF declaring “the start of liberation campaign of the southern countryside” of the Ayn al- Arab “Kobani”, the announcement stated, “we are announcing this day the continuation of our military operations within a plan of liberating the whole Syrian lands from the terrorist gangs by participation of the following factions: (al- Thuwar Army, YPG, the Women’s Protection Units, al- Tahrir Brigade, Shams al- Shamal Battalions, the Military Syriac Council, al- Jazira Brigades and Forat Jarablos Battalions. We declare this day the start of liberation campaign of the southern countryside of Kobani from IS and to return security and stability to it. We are addressing our people in Syria generally and our people in the southern countryside of Kobani particularly for the necessity of supporting our forces that come in order to free and rescue from Daesh (ISIS), SDF is your national forces, so hasten to support and join it.”
SOHR received a copy of a footage where the spokesman declared the readiness of 15 rebel factions to work under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo and Idlib. The announcement stated, “under the recent developments on the Syrian arena, and the expansion of terrorism in several areas committing massacres against the Syrian people, where the terrorism phenomena has become representing Daesh (IS) and its sisters as well as the Baathist criminal regime, and due to the victories achieved by SDF in al- Jazira area, the following rebel factions of Jaysh al- Thuwar, the Division 30, of Shohadaa Rif Idlib Brigade, Ayn Jalout Brigade, the Infantry Brigade 99, al- Hamzah Birgade, al- Qa’qa’ Brigade, the Special Forces Brigade 455, al- Salajeqa Brigade, the Regiment 102, Ahrar al- Sham, the Tribe Forces in Aleppo and it countryside, Jabhat al- Akrad, YPG, YPJ, which are exist in Aleppo and Idlib, declare their readiness to work under SDF banner in Aleppo and Idlib.”
It is noted that in October 11, it was announced the establishment of the Syrian Democratic Forces that contain Arab, Kurdish and Syriac fighters, where SOHR received a copy of that announcement stated by YPG and other factions. The announcement stated, “Due to accelerate conditions in both the political and the military development and the sensitive phases our country has gone through, there must be an establishment of a unified national military force to all Syrians consisting of Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians and all others living in the geographical locations of Syria. The Syrian Democratic Force is to launch a self-governing Syria. Relishing under the shadow of this force is the Syrian people who would be willing to live in freedom, impartiality and dignity with inclusiveness to all for obtaining their legitimate rights. And on this basis, the following military groups have declared to establish the Syrian Democratic Forces.