SDF injures 3 HTS militants in northern Syria
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Three militants of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) were injured on Sunday by gunfire from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northern countryside of the city of Manbij, northern Syria.
This took place during an attack launched by Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka Syrian National Army (SNA), on Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
(AANES) areas in Manbij.
On Saturday, the HTS sent 75 militants of the Red Bands faction to back the tribes in the armed conflict in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
This faction is the most extremist in the ranks of the HTS and consists of foreign militants who used to belong to al-Qaeda group.
A military source told North Press, “Three militants of the Red Bands were injured by SDF gunfire while attempting to advance from the Sajur River axis north of Manbij. They were transferred to Jarablus Hospital in eastern Aleppo.”
The source explained that there are several factions participating in the attack on Manbij, claiming to be from tribal backgrounds, including the HTS and the SNA such as Ahrar al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sharqiya, and Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat).
On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leader and with al-Bashir whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.