PRESS RELEASE | Sept. 9, 2017
Syrian Arab Coalition commences anti-ISIS clearing operations in the Khabur River valley
CJTFOIR

Southwest Asia – Sept. 9, 2017
Release # 20170909-03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CORRECTION: Syrian Arab Coalition commences anti-ISIS clearing operations in the Khabur River valley

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Combined Joint Task Force Coalition welcomes the announcement by the Syrian Arab Coalition of the commencement of their offensive to defeat ISIS in the Khabur River valley, dubbed “Operation Jazeera Storm,” north of Dayr Az Zawr in eastern Syria, Sept. 9.

The multi-ethnic SAC is a battle-tested, proven partner force in the Coalition’s fight to defeat ISIS in northern Syria. The operation will be run by the Dayr Az Zawr Military Coalition.

Lt. Gen Paul E. Funk II, Commanding General of the CJTF – Operation Inherent Resolve said that the fight for the Khabur River valley is a strategic axis of advance towards the Middle Euphrates River Valley, one of the last holdouts of ISIS.

“The very existence of ISIS poses a real threat to the civilized world and our way of life,” stated Funk. “Our collective effort will defeat them.”

Coalition forces will support the SAC during the Khabur River valley offensive as part of their ‘advise and assist’ mission, providing equipment, training, intelligence and logistics support, precision fires and battlefield advice.

Once the Khabur River valley is cleared of ISIS, the SAC states the region will be turned over to representative bodies of local civilians who will then oversee security and governance as with Tabqa and Manbij.

The SAC is operating along two corridors, and the local citizens and non-combatants in those areas are evacuating northward to SAC-controlled safe areas. The Coalition takes every precaution to prevent needless human suffering and casualties.