Three weeks ago, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) was on the verge of reaching Al-Hasakah City’s downtown; however, this threat is no longer valid, as the terrorist group finds itself besieged by the Syrian Armed Forces and the predominately Kurdish “People’s Defense Units” (YPG), with no place to retreat inside of the provincial capital.
The terrorist group dedicated many fighters and resources to capture Al-Hasakah City; unfortunately for ISIS, this has worked against them and to the benefit of the YPG, as they have swept through ISIS’ territory outside of the provincial capital and secured many areas with relative ease – some of their attacks lasted no longer than a half hour before ISIS conceded control of the territory.
On Monday morning, ISIS stormed the east district of the Al-Ghuweiran Quarter in desperation, attacking the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard from the eastern flank.
Once again, the terrorist group’s assault resulted in heavy casualties and little-to-no gains due to the Republican Guard’s stiff defenses around the east district of Al-Ghuweiran and its urban surroundings in Al-Hasakah City.
Following ISIS’ failed infiltration attempt at east Al-Ghuweiran, the Republican Guard – in coordination with the Shaytat Tribesmen – launched a counter-attack to recapture the Martyrs Cemetery in the southeastern part of the quarter – firefights have restarted at the cemetery this morning.
Meanwhile, at the west district of the Al-Nishwa Quarter, the SAA’s 154th Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Gozarto Protection Forces (Assyrian Militia) – continued their advance into the Al-Shari’ah neighborhood, capturing three building blocks after fierce firefights with ISIS on Monday night.
South of the provincial capital, the YPG has made remarkable progress near the strategic town of Al-Maylabiyah, capturing the farms to the north of Bab Al-Khayr before they entered the town.
In addition to their success at Bab Al-Khayr, the YPG is now in full control of Al-Watwatiyah and the rural area north of Tal Tanaynir.
