{"id":48199,"date":"2018-11-13T22:29:47","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T22:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/11\/13\/us-backed-fighters-resume-final-offensive-against-isis-after-pause-to-deal-with-turkish-tensions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:11:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:11:05","slug":"us-backed-fighters-resume-final-offensive-against-isis-after-pause-to-deal-with-turkish-tensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/11\/13\/us-backed-fighters-resume-final-offensive-against-isis-after-pause-to-deal-with-turkish-tensions\/","title":{"rendered":"US-backed fighters resume final offensive against ISIS after pause to deal with Turkish tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces<\/a> are returning to the battle against the Islamic State following a pause to deal with clashes between their northern troops and Turkey, which included cross-border shelling by Turkish forces<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SDF announced <\/a>Sunday that its troops will resume offensive operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The return to fighting ISIS comes after \u201cintensive diplomatic efforts\u201d by the Operation Inherent Resolve coalition to defuse what the SDF said was a crisis on their borders<\/a>, according to their press statement, which was shared on social media by the coalition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the pause, the SDF acknowledged that ISIS executed several successful counterattacks using vehicle-borne suicide bombs and ground troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSDF general command saw the need to continue its operations and fulfill the final defeat of ISIS,\u201d the press statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While offensive ground operations were temporarily paused on Nov. 1, airstrikes by the global coalition continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAirstrikes continued to target ISIS command centers, destroying several targets and eliminating several groups of terrorists,\u201d the SDF said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, the Inherent Resolve coalition conducted about 150 air and artillery strikes against ISIS in Syria, according to their weekly strike roundup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A U.S. Soldier walks toward a tactical vehicle used to provide security during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 19, 2018. These patrols are coordinated with Turkish military forces to ensure the continued safety and security in Manbij. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicole Paese)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ISIS’ physical territory in the U.S.- and coalition-controlled eastern portion of Syria is largely limited to a small pocket in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, near the Iraq-Syria border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operations against ISIS outside of the river valley did continue during the break, though. One SDF special unit reportedly conducted a capture mission with support from coalition helicopters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe operation resulted in the arrest of a high-ranking commander of ISIS in Raqqa,\u201d SDF officials said. “This demonstrates that ISIS still has roots and dormant cells in the liberated areas, and the need to continue this alliance and cooperation on the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t