Syrian National Army besieges Tel Rifat as it continues its advance through Operation Dawn of Freedom

By Omer Koparan and Tugba Altun

AZEZ, Syria (AA) - The Syrian National Army completely besieged Tel Rifat as it continues its advance through Operation Dawn of Freedom, launched to prevent the PKK/YPG terror group's efforts to establish a Tel Rifat-Manbij corridor.

As part of the operation, SNA soldiers have clashed with PKK/YPG terrorists and advanced from the east, northeast, northwest, and south directions of the district.

After taking control of the Kweires Military Airport, the SNA units advanced toward Aleppo and reached the Sheikh Najjar industrial area, previously captured by armed groups opposed to the Assad regime, settling in the southern part of the district.

As a result, the PKK/YPG-occupied Tel Rifat area is now fully encircled from all directions.

- Operation Dawn of Freedom

The SNA launched on Sunday an operation to counter the terror group PKK/YPG's plan to establish a terror corridor between Tel Rifat and northeastern Syria, according to security sources.

Tensions have resurfaced in northern Syria after anti-regime armed groups recently captured second-biggest city of the country, Aleppo.

As opposition forces began their operation toward Aleppo, Syrian regime forces lost control of significant territories in a short time. This prompted the Syrian regime to seek support from the PKK/YPG terrorist organization against the opposition, paving the way for the terror group to gain ground.

The Syrian regime began to hand over the lands under its control to the PKK/YPG terrorists located east of the Euphrates. Consequently, a large number of terrorists and heavy weaponry were transported from east of the Euphrates to Aleppo.

The PKK/YPG terror group considered the Syrian regime's surrender of territories as an opportunity and attempted to establish a terror corridor between Tel Rifat and northeastern Syria. However, the plan was thwarted by the SNA.

Noticing the terrorist organization's maneuvers amid the opposition groups' advance toward Aleppo, SNA launched Operation Dawn of Freedom and quickly entered the field.

The SNA also disrupted the PKK/YPG's efforts to establish a terror corridor by cutting off the route between Raqqa and Aleppo, blocking the link between Tel Rifat and northeastern Syria.

During the operation, the SNA took control of the Kuwairis Military Airport, where military aircraft and air defense systems were located, and cut off the PKK/YPG's Tel Rifat-Manbij line.

- Situation in Tel Rifat

YPG/PKK terrorists, with air support from Russia, seized control of Tel Rifat and some surrounding settlements in February 2016.

The terrorist organization displaced nearly 250,000 civilians from Tel Rifat and its surroundings, forcing them to take refuge in areas near the Turkish border.

From Tel Rifat, the YPG/PKK terror group launched attacks on settlements within the Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch regions, as well as on positions held by Turkish security forces ensuring safety and opposition fighters.