A coalition armoured vehicle in Hasakah, northern Syria, a region where counter-terrorism operations have resumed. AFP
A coalition armoured vehicle in Hasakah, northern Syria, a region where counter-terrorism operations have resumed. AFP
A coalition armoured vehicle in Hasakah, northern Syria, a region where counter-terrorism operations have resumed. AFP
A coalition armoured vehicle in Hasakah, northern Syria, a region where counter-terrorism operations have resumed. AFP

Syria's Kurds resume counter-ISIS raids with coalition troops


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The internationally backed Syrian Democratic Forces said it had resumed counter-terrorism operations with US and coalition forces after they were paused due to Turkey's shelling of Kurdish positions in northern Syria.

The US-backed group led the ground offensive with international backing to defeat ISIS in Syria in 2019.

Turkey has been shelling and carrying out air strikes in northern Syria in recent weeks and says it is preparing for a ground invasion against Kurdish groups that it accuses of carrying out a terrorist attack in Istanbul last month. Turkey brands the Kurdish force that makes up much of the SDF a terrorist organisation.

The SDF on Friday said all joint operations with coalition forces had been paused due to the Turkish bombardment and called on the US and West to tell Turkey not to invade the areas under its control.

The SDF has long warned that fighting off a new Turkish incursion would divert resources from protecting a prison holding ISIS fighters or raiding the terrorist group's sleeper cells still waging hit-and-run attacks in Syria.

Simand Ali, an SDF spokesman, told Reuters on Monday that joint patrols and training exercises with the coalition had resumed at the weekend after a decrease in Turkish strikes, with four joint patrols carried out on Saturday and Sunday.

Joint training drills had also resumed, he said.

"At the moment, the atmosphere is semi-positive and allows us to undertake joint operations, but we don't know how long these operations will be possible", he said, given the possibility of a ground invasion.

The US has said it understands Nato ally Turkey's concerns in Syria, but has opposed a ground invasion and said Turkish raids had directly threatened the safety of American personnel.

On Friday, former coalition spokesman Col Myles B Caggins III told The National that Turkish shelling had killed SDF commanders including Jiyan Tolhildant, a senior leader in the most elite special operation anti-terrorist task force, as well as a number of anti-terrorist troops trained by the US Commando Special Forces in Syria.

The US-led coalition has backed the SDF with air strikes, military equipment and advisers since 2017, first helping it wrest back territory from ISIS and then supporting clearing operations against militant sleeper cells.

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Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

Updated: December 05, 2022, 10:39 AM