ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) warned on Thursday that it has taken “extensive” measures to respond to potential attacks by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria’s eastern provinces
“The terrorist organization ISIS has recently declared control over significant portions of the Homs and Deir Ezzor desert, seizing numerous cities and strategic positions from the Damascus government forces,” said the SDF in a statement.
ISIS said in a statement on its Telegram channel that it had controlled an industrial zone from the regime forces in Homs, adding that numerous members of the army were killed and injured.
The SDF said it has taken action to prevent further ISIS advances.
“As the terrorist organization tries to continue its expansion to other unprotected areas, our forces have implemented comprehensive and controlled measures to counter these threats,” it said.
SDF does not control any part of Homs but is partially in control of Deir ez-Zor.
“Our forces have taken extensive and controlled measures and will intervene effectively to counter any attempt by ISIS to expand into our areas and prevent a repeat of the 2014 scenario,” said the SDF, referring to the ISIS takeover of swathes of Syrian land a decade ago.
A coalition of Syrian rebels led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a blistering offensive against the Syrian army over the past week. They took control of the northern city of Aleppo, the most populated city in the country, and later advanced their offensive into the strategic central Hama province, capturing the city on Thursday with the Syrian army announcing its withdrawal.
Pentagon chief spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday that he is not aware of ISIS taking "significant territory"
Updated at 12:21 am on December 6, 2024 with Pentagon comment.
