The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) have launched a counter-offensive at Tal Barak in the Al-Hasakah Governorate; this strategic village was captured by the predominately Kurdish “People’s Protection Units” (YPG) in early 2015.
ISIS took advantage of the YPG’s poor defenses around the Arab villages of ‘Umm Ghadeer, Huwaysh, Hakou, and Tal Effendi, clearing the path to Tal Barak on the Al-Qamishli-Al-Hasakah Highway before the SAA in Al-Qamishli pushed the enemy combatants west.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Assyrian “Sootooro” milita – countered ISIS’ offensive at ‘Umm Ghadeer, capturing it after fierce clashes with the militants at this rural area in the Al-Hasakah Governorate.
Despite losing some ground to the SAA southwest of Al-Qamishli, ISIS is still besieging the YPG’s defenses around Tal Barak; however, they have been unsuccessful in their infiltration attempt.
Meanwhile, at Tal Tamer on the Khabour River, ISIS has advanced to the Al-Khareetah Bridge, where they have been met with fierce resistance from the YPG and Suturo – fighting is still ongoing.
YPG social media activists have reported the death of 58 ISIS militants and another 200 plus wounded at the battle of Tal Tamer in western Al-Hasakah; numbers have not been confirmed.
