People's Defense Units (YPG) have cleared the Til Koçer region in west Kurdistan of al-Qeada linked gang groups.

YPG fighters carried out a major offensive against the gang groups in Çilaxa on 28 October as part of the “Tırbespiyê and Çilaxa Martyrs Revolutionary Operations” they had launched in Til Koçer region on 23 Oct.

Following fierce clashes with al-Qaeda linked groups, YPG fighters took the villages of Girhok, Yusufiyê, Sefa, Cinêdiyê, Girê Fatê and Ebû Hecer, as well as the Til Elo wheat silos used by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) as headquarters.

The regions of Rimelan and Çilaxa in Girkê Legê have completely been cleared of gangs as of Tuesday morning. YPG fighters also seized two military vehicles and ammunition of the gang groups.

After taking the control of two villages in the operations launched on 23 October, YPG fighters first took seven other villages and three hamlets, as well as the Til Koçer border gate (Alyarubia), and then the entire city till 27 October.

On the other hand, separate clashes broke out between YPG and ISIL-linked Muhammed Army, El Tevhid Brigade and some Kurdish groups which attacked the villages of Bênê, Çilbirê, Mezra and Mereskê in the Şerawa region in the Efrin city on Monday evening.

37 members of the groups have been reported killed in clashes which broke out following the first attack on the Çilbirê village gangs wanted to take and settle in.

After being repulsed from the Çilbirê village by YPG fighters, gang groups fled to the Çilbir village where clashes lasted till late into the night. 17 gang militants were killed and one YPJ (Women's Defense Units) fighter lost her life in clashes in the village.

After suffering a heavy defeat in the region, gang groups attacked the Mereskê and Mezra villages which had been saved by YPG in July. 10 gang militants were killed in clashes which lasted several hours.

The tank unit of the YPG on the other hand attacked a headquarters of the groups in the Meryeminê village.

YPG fighters also killed seven gang members in an ambush near the Qestel Cindo village of Efrin's Şera district, and three others in assassination attacks.