70 Jihadists & Soldiers Killed in Counter-Terrorism Ops in Syria

The Syrian army is expected to unleash a large-scale offensive against jihadi groups in Aleppo.

Fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) sit in a look out position in the western rural area of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate in Syria. (Photo: Reuters)

At least 70 jihadist fighters and military soldiers were killed in the past 24 hours during battles in Syria’s Aleppo province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Wednesday.

The Syrian army backed by Russian airstrikes has been engaged in intense battles against several jihadist groups in areas in the southern countryside of Aleppo since noon on Tuesday.

A woman removes a Niqab she was wearing in her village in Aleppo after Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of it. (Photo: Reuters)

The Britain-based watchdog group said government forces succeeded in recapturing several points and areas in Aleppo, after losing them to the rebels on Tuesday.

The recent battles are part of a major military showdown in Aleppo, whose biggest battles are still being prepared.

The Syrian army is expected to unleash a wide-scale offensive against jihadi groups in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and once an economic hub.

While the Syrian army is busy battling rebels in Aleppo, the US backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rebels are engaged in battles against the Islamic State (IS) group in the city of Manbej, one of the last IS strongholds in Aleppo.

German and French special forces have also arrived in Aleppo to aid the SDF in their push against IS.

Yazidi female fighters in pickup truck during a deployment near the frontline of the fight against Islamic State militants in Nawaran near Mosul, Iraq. (Photo: Reuters)  

The SDF, a recently forged rebel group of Arab and Kurdish fighters and led by the Kurdish People Protection Units (YPG), has mounted an offensive in late May against key IS strongholds in northern Syria, mainly in the border city of Manbej and the northern countryside of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the IS.

The SDF has completely laid siege on Manbej and advanced against the IS, the reports said.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said the presence of German and French special forces in northern Syria constitutes a flagrant violation to the sovereignty of the country.

The ministry said countering terror needs coordination and cooperation with the legitimate government of Syria.

(With inputs from IANS.)

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