The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the US-led coalition continue their struggle against the ISIS-held pocket in the Euphrates Valley. According to an official version, SDF units, backed by US special forces and aircraft, have been actively fighting ISIS there for a few months already. However, no real progress has been achieved on the ground.
Most recently, ISIS even carried out a large attack on SDF positions there. The group claimed that 32 SDF members were killed. The SDF said that the advance had been repelled. Pro-Kurdish sources also said that the SDF had captured a vehicle and an armed drone from ISIS.
Considering the situation in the Euphrates Valley, local experts doubt that the SDF and the US-led coalition want to defeat ISIS there so much as they claim in their statements.
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