Turkish-Backed Militants Advance On Ain Issa In Syrian Raqqa Countryside

In the evening of December 24, Turkish-backed militants resumed shelling of the Syrian defense forces (SDF) in the Northern outskirts of the town of Ain Issa, the ANHA news agency reported.

Turkish-backed militants bombarded the villages of al-Mushairfeh and Jehbel with heavy weapons. The shelling was reportedly accompanied by a ground attack on the village of Jehbel.

According to the reports by Vedeng agency, the SDF managed to repel the attack of Turkish-backed forces, causing losses to militant groups. No casualties in the ranks of the SDF have been reported yet. The village of al-Mushairfeh was allegedly taken by the Syrian National army.

Both villages are located in the northeastern countryside of Ain Issa, along the M4 international highway.

#Ain_issa: Violent clashes and shelling at the villages Jabbal and Mushayrifa pic.twitter.com/xcfuxAW6i7

— Rojava Network (@RojavaNetwork) December 24, 2020

#Syria
Turkish army and Turkish-backed rebels shelled with artillery the villages of #Misherfa and #Jehbal this afternoon.#AinIssa pic.twitter.com/cQYUb950Ly

— Ahmad (@_ahmadalhindi) December 24, 2020

The town of Ain Issa remains under the SDF control.

Earlier in the day, on December 24, the Russian Military Police established a new position in the southern outskirts of the town. Russian forces have a coordination and operations center in Ain Issa. They are now reinforcing their troops in the town and its outskirts amid the resumption of heavy clashes between the SDF and Turkish-backed militant groups.

A Turkish-led ground attack was launched a week ago and ended in a failure. Since then, Turkish-backed forces continue shelling the town with heavy weapons, high-explosive anti-tank shells.

Russia allegedly pressured the SDF to hand over the town of Ain Issa and other regions in northern Raqqa to Syrian government forces. Three joint observation posts were established in the outskirts of the town. However, the region was not handed over and remains under the SDF control.

Turkey was allegedly preparing to launch a new large ground attack on the town. Russia is supporting the SDF in preventing Turkish forces from capturing the town of Ain Issa which is of strategic importance. It lays on the M4 highway that links al-Hasakah, Raqqa and Aleppo.

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