The interview came after the SDF, formed in 2015 as the defense force of northern Syria's de facto autonomous Rojava federation and supported by the US-led coalition, announced in early November the launch of a military operation to liberate the northern Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh (ISIL/ISIS).
Speaking to Sputnik Turkey, Efrini said that the goal of the new offensive is to reclaim a road linking the cities of Kobani and Afrin in Syria's north from Daesh terrorists.
According to him, the SDF, composed primarily of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), has already managed to liberate at least ten villages from the terrorists.
"Since yesterday we have managed to drive Daesh out of ten nearby villages. The clashes are continuing," Efrini said, adding that the terrorists have suffered significant losses during the SDF's offensive.
He also said that SDF units continue to move forward and that they have yet to cover about 12 kilometers to reach the Kobani-Afrin road.
ISIS members in Raqqa are hiding themselves from Syrian Democratic Forces in these sheep suits pic.twitter.com/SfnJJQtXiR
— Delvin Azem (@Delvin_Azem) 13 ноября 2016 г.
Earlier this week, senior member of the SDF council Rezzan Hido told Sputnik that the SDF is going to start the second stage of the military operation to liberate Raqqa from Daesh in the near future.
Captured from ISIS on Raqqa fronts by Syrian Democratic Forces. SDF advanced 25 kms into ISIS territory in 3 days. #WrathOfEuphrates pic.twitter.com/BbE4i1o2Ou
— Gilgo (@agirecudi) 9 ноября 2016 г.
He was positive about the first stage of the operation, saying that Daesh suffered heavy losses and lost large territories. The SDF also cleared about 1,200 mines and explosive devices planted by terrorists.
Operation Euphrates Rage was launched on November 5. By November 11, SDF reportedly advanced to area within 18 miles from Raqqa.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is encircling the city of Al Bab in northern Syria and will soon retake it from the Daesh terrorists with support of the Turkish armed forces.
