January 24, 2019•Update: January 24, 2019
By Mohamed Misto and Adham Kako
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria/ANKARA
U.S.-led coalition forces and the YPG/PKK terrorist group are currently negotiating with Daesh militants captured in Syria's eastern Deir Ez-Zor province, local sources said Thursday.
Coalition forces have temporarily suspended operations to give Daesh a chance to surrender in Deir Ez-Zor’s town of Bagoz east of the Euphrates, one local source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
Coalition officials, for their part, have yet to confirm the source’s assertions.
In a related development, seven trucks bearing humanitarian aid for civilians arrived in the region on Wednesday.
Last year, the YPG/PKK -- with U.S. assistance -- captured parts of Deir -Zor’s eastern, western and northern outskirts west of the Euphrates.
In September, the terrorist group -- with U.S. air support and French support on the ground -- began operations to purge Daesh from Deir -Zor.
Shortly after taking Hajin, Daesh’s last stronghold in the province, the YPG/PKK also managed to capture the town of Buhatir.
Daesh’s presence in Deir -Zor is now limited to the town of Bagoz. Areas west of the Euphrates, meanwhile, remain under the control of Syrian regime forces.
According to estimates, the YPG/PKK currently occupies roughly of Syria’s total territory.
