"Twenty-three SDF fighters were killed and nine IS jihadists were also killed in fighting that lasted all night and into Monday morning," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. "On Monday morning, the SDF launched an offensive and retook all the positions they lost," the Observatory said. Abdel Rahman said the jihadists' defences in the area have collapsed and the end of the battle is near. The jihadists are mostly using snipers, snap attacks, tunnels and landmines" to slow the SDF's inexorable advance, Abdel Rahman said. They have pressed on with their operation in eastern Syria regardless and Washington has since stressed any withdrawal would be gradual.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 08, 2019 12:22 UTC