YPG fighters talk about liberation of Baghouz in its fifth anniversary

On February 9, 2019, the Syrian Democratic Forces launched the “Jazera Storm” campaign to defeat and eliminate ISIS. The campaign ended on March 23 of the same year with the liberation of the town of Al-Baghouz in Deir ez-Zor, which was considered the last stronghold of ISIS.

The fighters of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)confirmed to ANHA agency that they had played a major role in liberation of town.

The fighter, Aziz Shahba, pointed out that: “The mercenary force was declining as we advanced, and by the time we reached the Kasra district in Deir ez-Zor, the ISIS mercenaries were completely frustrated, and most of them surrendered,most of themwere from countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

He continued: "It was a war of mines and explosives rather than a direct, face-to-face war. The mercenaries booby-trapped everywhere, especially the homes of civilians, as they turned them into human shields. With the liberation of every neighborhood and street, women were getting rid of their black abayas and burning them."

He stressed that during the campaign, "many equipment bearing the Turkish flag was seized, there is no doubt that the goal of the Turkish state is to destabilize the security of the region and eliminate the Rojava revolution.

As for the fighter Roni Manbij, he said, “The number of ISIS mercenaries reached about 13,000, and 350 of them were arrested and wounded, while many of them surrendered, we remember our martyrs and we will follow in the footsteps of our martyrs to preserve the security and stability of the region.”

While the fighter Zagros Kobani confirmed: “The Baghouz campaign gave us great courage to fight. Our comrades were leaders and pioneers in every step and action. They advanced before us on the front lines, our comrades were breaking into the enemy’s ranks with great enthusiasm and courage.

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ANHA