- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US-Led Coalition Enters Final Stage of Op to Clear Euphrates From Daesh

© AP Photo / APTVThis Saturday, April. 29, 2017 still taken from video, shows an American soldier standing on an armored vehicle in the northern village of Darbasiyah, Syria. U.S
This Saturday, April. 29, 2017 still taken from video, shows an American soldier standing on an armored vehicle in the northern village of Darbasiyah, Syria. U.S - Sputnik International
Subscribe
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US-led coalition in Syria does not expect to encounter Russian or Syrian forces during the final stage of Operation Round Up to liberate the remaining territory east of the Euphrates River from Daesh, Operation Inherent Resolve’s Deputy Commander for Strategy and Support Felix Gedney said in a press briefing.

"No, we don't expect to encounter Russian or Syrian forces," Gedney told reporters on Tuesday. "We have confidence that the deconfliction mechanisms we have in place will work."

Gedney said planning for the final stage of Operation Round Up is ongoing and has as its goal clearing the last remaining Daesh*-held pockets in the city of Hajin in the Abu Kamal district.

Completing Operation Round Up can only mean liberating the territory east of the Euphrates River after which the coalition must support stabilization efforts to ensure a lasting defeat of Daesh in the region, Gedney said.

​Gedney pointed out that the coalition expects a difficult fight in the final stage of the operation because hardcore Islamic State fighters have congregated in a densely populated area, which is the last area they presently control.

​The US-led coalition of more than 70 countries is conducting military operations against the Daesh terror group in Syria and Iraq. The coalition's operations in Iraq are conducted in cooperation with Iraqi officials, but those in Syria are not authorized by the government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council.

*Daesh — a terrorist group, banned in numerous countries, including Russia

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала