Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced yesterday initiation of Operation Wrath of Khabur on the region of Shaddadi (Şeddadê), one of the strategic military strongholds of ISIS gangs on February 16th.

SDF said the operation was a follow-up of the offensive against gang groups in the southern countryside of Hesekê and carried out in coordination with the Self-Defense Forces (Erka Xweparastinê), Popular Defense Forces (HPC) and the international coalition.

The SDF statement pointed out that the area of Shaddadi was a strategic military stronghold of ISIS gangs from which they conducted savage attacks against Cizîr, Til Koçer, Til Hemis, Serêkaniyê and other areas. Shadadi is also the location where ISIS gangs summoned the Assyrian citizens they kidnapped after attacking the Assyrian villages along the Khabour river.

SDF stressed that the Operation Wrath of Khabur aimed to end the presence and savage practices of terror groups in the Canton of Cizir, adding; “We would like to assure once again that the operation has a humanitarian and moral objective of punishing the gangs that turned Shaddadi into a market of Êzîdî girls and women they had kidnapped. We promise to punish every single person involved in this dirty act.”

Yesterday afternoon, SDF forces took control of the strategic road between Mosul and Shadadi, through which the only way of probable reinforcements from Mosul has been blocked.

During the two days of the operation, SDF combatants liberated 48 villages and hamlets as they advanced towards the Shadadi town from two directions; Mount Kizwan and town of Hawl. 25 of these were liberated around Hawl and 23 others around Mount Kizwan. At least 33 members of ISIS were killed around Hawl.

The town of Sebave Erbiyn, where strategic wheat silos are located, was also liberated by SDF combatants who on the other hand took control of the road between Heseke and Shaddadi, 47's Junction, and the roads leading to Raqqa and Dêr El-Zor.

As the operation continues in its 4th day, SDF troops have encircled the town of Shaddadi from three sides. The SDF combatants are now 3 km away to the town from Hawl side, and 5 km from the Mount Kizwan side. The operation is being supported by the international coalition.