By Esref Musa, Omer Koparan and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu
ANKARA (AA) – The US-backed Syrian Free Army has launched an offensive targeting the towns of Al-Bukamal and Mayadin, located in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province, from the Tanf base in Homs, where US forces are stationed.
According to local sources, Syrian Free Army forces initiated their attack starting from Deir ez-Zor city center, advancing towards Al-Bukamal, near the Syria-Iraq border, and Mayadin in eastern Deir ez-Zor province.
Iran-backed groups have been using Al-Bukamal and Mayadin as operational headquarters. Additionally, Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi forces frequently move in and out of the region.
US forces have conducted multiple strikes in these areas in the past, targeting Iran-backed groups and Syrian regime forces.
The Syrian Free Army operates as a separate entity from the Free Syrian Army (FSA), now known as the Syrian National Army, which was formed following the public uprisings in Syria.
*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul