Western-backed Democratic Forces make rapid gains against ISIS in Hasaka province: spokesman

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Spokesman of Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab forces fighting ISIS in northern Syria said his Western-backed group has achieved 70% of its targets in nearly one month campaign.

Col. Talal Ali Sello, in statement to Zaman Al Wasl, said his alliance is so close of taking full control of the southern countryside of Hassaka province.

Sello said between an area of 1,500 square kilometres (600 square miles) was cleansed of ISIS" and more than 550 ISIS fighters were killed.

SDF spokesman said Monday in press conference that his alliance had driven ISIS out of nearly 200 villages.

The SDF was formed in mid-October as an alliance between the powerful Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and rebel groups including Arab and Assyrian militias.

On Frioday, new clashes erupted between ISIS and SDF in al Khan district near the oil-rich town of al-Hawl town, which lies along a strategic ISIS supply route.

Local activists said tens of Arab families have fled southern countryside of Hasaka due to fierce fighting, heading Turkish borders.

Sello underestimates to Zaman Al Wasl of activists' outrage over hosting the pro-regime and Iran-funded Al Mayadeen news channel, assuring he will not allow any biased covering.

Since it began in 2011, Syria's war has fractured into a complex array of fronts between Kurds, rebels, regime and jihadists, and has killed more than 250,000 people.