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Gunmen kill, wound several US-backed SDF militants across northern Syria

In this file picture, US-sponsored militants affiliated with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carry their weapons in a village on the outskirts of al-Shadadi town, northeastern province of Hasakah, Syria. (Photo by Reuters)

Unidentified armed men have shot dead and wounded several US-sponsored militants affiliated with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) across the northern sector of Syria as public outrage boils in areas held by the Takfiris amid worsening security conditions.

Local sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Syria’s official news agency SANA on Sunday that four SDF militants were killed after unknown gunmen fired multiple machine gun shots at them close to the flagstones factories in the al-Jazara neighborhood, the National Hospital in al-Tabqah city, located approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) west of Raqqah, as well as Abu Quba’i village.

Elsewhere in the northeastern countryside of Syria’ Dayr al-Zawr province, an SDF militant was killed by a group of unknown people in the village of al-Ezba, which has been the scene of demonstrations demanding the expulsion of the US-backed Kurdish-led militants.

This came after on Saturday, a number of SDF militants were injured when unidentified armed men attacked their checkpoints in the towns of al-Hawaij and Jadeed Ekedat.

Security conditions are reportedly deteriorating in SDF-controlled areas in Hasakah and Dayr al-Zawr provinces amid ongoing raids and arrests of civilians by the militants.

Local Syrians complain that the SDF’s constant raids and arrest campaigns have generated a state of frustration and instability, severely affecting their businesses and livelihood.

Residents accuse the US-sponsored militants of stealing crude oil and refusing to spend money on service sectors.

Local councils affiliated with the SDF have also been accused of financial corruption. 

Syrians rally in protest against US military presence in Hasakah

Also on Saturday, dozens of people staged a rally in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah to denounce a recent US airstrike against government forces, which killed a soldier and wounded several others, and demand the withdrawal of American troops.

People participate in a rally in al-Bajaria village, Hasakah province, northeastern Syria, on August 22, 2020 to demand the withdrawal of US troops from the region. (Photo by SANA)

The demonstrators took to the streets in the village of al-Bajaria, hoisting the national Syrian flag and carrying banners calling for resistance against US occupation.

The participants emphasized that support for government forces is a patriotic duty for all Syrians, chanting slogans in condemnation of US military deployment to Syria.

People participate in a rally in al-Bajaria village, Hasakah province, northeastern Syria, on August 22, 2020 to demand the withdrawal of US troops from their region. (Photo by SANA)

The protesters also condemned the deadly US air raid on a Syrian army checkpoint in Tal Dhahab area on August 17.

US military brings in new convoy to Hasakah

In another development, the United States has dispatched truckloads of military and logistical equipment to Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah.

Local sources in al-Swaidiyah village, requesting anonymity, told SANA that a convoy of 50 trucks and tankers accompanied by a number of armored vehicles crossed into the Syrian territory through the al-Walid border crossing on Saturday, and headed toward US positions in the province.

Since late October 2019, the United States has been redeploying troops to the oil fields controlled by Kurdish forces in eastern Syria, in a reversal of President Donald Trump’s earlier order to withdraw all troops from the Arab country.

The Pentagon claims the move aims to “protect” the fields and facilities from possible attacks by Daesh. That claim came although Trump had earlier suggested that Washington sought economic interests in controlling the oil fields.

The presence of US forces in eastern Syria has particularly irked the civilians, and local residents have on several occasions stopped American military convoys entering the region.

Syria, which has not authorized the presence of the US military in its territory, says Washington is “plundering” the country’s oil.


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