The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stated Sunday, as quoted by Reuters, that they had pushed out Syrian government troops from the oil-rich areas near the Euphrates River, not far from the country's border with Iraq.
As specified by the US-backed Kurdish troops, they launched a counter-offensive against the Syrian forces, saying that the latter were forced off "far away" from the territories.
Earlier in the day, Reuters reported, citing a military source, that Syria's armed forces had captured several villages located to the east of the Euphrates River from the US-backed, predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces.
The clashes between the Syrian army and the US-supported SDF forces took place close to the Iraqi border, in Kurdish-controlled areas of the country, Reuters reported.
Previously, the Syrian army had abstained from a military offensive against the Kurdish forces, focusing on its campaign against Daesh militants. The US-backed SDF captured territory east of the Euphrates River in the Deir Zor province last year, during their anti-Daesh operations.
Syrian Army's Operation Against Terrorists
The Syrian army has reached an agreement with militants on their withdrawal from the three settlements in southern Damascus, the Sana news agency reported on Sunday.
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The agreement was reached several hours after the Syrian army regained control over several neighborhoods in the area.
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The Syrian government forces have intensified their efforts to eliminate the last pockets of terrorists in greater Damascus, defeating terrorists in Al-Aasali, Jura and Al-Hajar al-Aswad.
The operation aimed at the liberation of a Daesh-held enclave in greater Damascus area was launched on April 20 by the Syrian government, following Daesh's refusal to leave.
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Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. Numerous opposition factions and terrorist groups like Daesh have been attempting to topple the government of President Bashar Assad and establish control.
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Two principal powers have been supporting anti-Daesh operations in the region: the US-led coalition, conducting airstrikes in the area without Damascus's consent or a UN mandate, and Russia, which started its campaign in 2015 upon President Assad's request. A large portion of the Russian forces was withdrawn from the country last year after they had defeated Daesh, and Syrian government forces have regained control over the majority of the state's territory. Now the Syrian troops are eliminating the last pockets of terrorist resistance.
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*Daesh — terrorist group banned in Russia