The predominately Kurdish “People’s Protection Units” (YPG) – in coordination with the Suturo (Assyrian militia) – countered the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s offensive at Tal Tamer with an assault of their own that targeted the militant group’s main supply route to their stronghold at the city of Al-Shadadi in southern Al-Hasakah.
On Tuesday morning, ISIS was surprised by a fierce assault from the YPG and Suturo Forces at the western perimeter of the ‘Abdel-Aziz Mountains; this attack led to the Kurdish and Assyrian militias seizing two villages that were under the control of ISIS: Al-Shoulah and Al-Qahirah.
In addition to their capture of Al-Shoulah and Al-Qahirah, the YPG and Suturo captured another strategic supply route belonging to ISIS in Al-Hasakah; this supply route was the Al-Shadadi-‘Abdel-‘Aziz Highway that led to the militant group’s main stronghold at the city of Al-Shadadi in the southern part of the province.
Meanwhile, at the eastern perimeter of the ‘Abdel-‘Aziz Mountains, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Al-Ba’ath Battalion – captured the imperative village of Qabr Shamiyah after fierce clashes with the militants of ISIS on Tuesday afternoon.
The SAA and their allies also expanded their control over a number of hills near the village of Rafraf after they countered ISIS’ infiltration attempt of their frontline defenses.
As of now, ISIS’ main supply route from Al-Shadadi to Al-Houl is endangered in eastern Al-Hasakah, as both the YPG (from the west) and the SAA (from the north at Al-Qamishli and Al-Hasakah City) push their way towards the Al-Shadadi-Al-Houl Highway.