US-Backed Militia Capture Several Points in Eastern Syria after ISIL's Withdrawal

TEHRAN (defapress)- The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) managed to seize control over several key areas in the town of Hajin in Southeastern Deir Ezzur after ISIL retreated from more positions, an Arab media outlet reported on Friday.

News ID: 74188

Date: 07 December 2018 - 19:48

The Arabic-language website of al-Manar news reported that the SDF captured al-Havamah neighborhood in Hajin after ISIL retreated.

It further said that the SFD has also captured Ferdown mosque and a part of Hajin's bazaar.

The SDF, backed by the US-led coalition, captured Raqqa city in Northeastern Syria after an agreement on safe expulsion of ISIL from the city, the website said, adding that thousands of civilians were killed in the US air raids in Raqqa city at the time.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported last month that the ISIL was planning an attack on the SDF in order to provoke an airstrike by the US-led coalition against the Syrian Arab Army in the region.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the ISIL had set up the production of the shells using toxic agents at a plant in Deir Ezzur province. According to the ministry, 11 terrorists, who had been trained in other countries, were filling the shells with toxic agents, Sputnik reported.

"The manufactured chemical munitions are intended for firing on positions of the Kurdish SDF, which are conducting, with the support of the United States, military operations against terrorists in the area of the settlement of Hajin in Deir Ezzur province", the statement read.

Moscow warned that the terrorists planned to "carry out a strike against the SDF from the area nearby Syrian pro-government units", in order to frame the Syrian Arab Army.

The Russian military previously pointed out that various militant groups and anti-government organizations, including the "White Helmets", have staged poison gas attacks or used toxic agents in order to blame Damascus for using chemical weapons and prompt military strikes against the Syrian forces.

The US-led coalition includes 70 countries that have been conducting airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria, in particular Deir Ezzur province. The Syrian government, however, has repeatedly accused the coalition of killing civilians during the operations and deliberately using white phosphorus, which is banned by the UN.

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