Kurdish YPG launches major assault on rebels at Azaz city

Earlier today, Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) attacked and seized the Al-Shat checkpoint together with the Al-Kadi Villa on the outskirts of Azaz city.

However, rebel fighters of the Free Syrian Army and Jabhat al-Nusra reportedly struck back and claimed to have recaptured both points after heavy skirmishes which involved blowing up a Kurdish tank with a TOW-missile.

With Al-Shat checkpoint and Al-Kadi Villa disputed between Kurdish factions and rebel forces, clashes are currently continuing at the city’s southern and western gates.

Last month, Kurdish officials said they intended to capture northern Syria in an effort to connect the Efrin region with the Kurdish-held city of Kobane city.

Nevertheless, as to do so, they must now attempt to wrestle countless villages from ISIS and the Syrian opposition respectively – this includes the Syrian rebel-held border town of Azaz.

2 months ago, insurgents in northern Syria were abruptly cut off from their rebel comrades of the Jaish al-Fateh coalition which is based in the neighbouring province of Idlib.

This happened after the Syrian Arab Army and Kurdish factions captured dozens of villages and towns from Islamist rebels during a joint offensive in and around the previously besieged towns of Nubl and al-Zahraa.

Meanwhile, countless reports have emerged suggesting that the Turkish Army, which backs rebel troops in Syria, is actively shelling Kurdish fighters inside Syria itself.