Operation Featherweight: Month 56, Week 3, Day 4.

A continuation of; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2019/02/operation-featherweight-month-56-week-3.html

In that post I looked at the operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF/QSD) to liberate the Hajin Pocket. From the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

This has seen ISIL reduced to a tiny, 250 yards by 250 yards scrap of wasteland. Designated; "Camp Futility."

So while there is technically an ISIL presence within the Hajin Pocket the battle is over. There are even reports today of ISIL surrendering within Camp Futility.

Sadly it looks as though the end of the battle does not mean that Shangri-La will be left in peace.

Throughout the battle of the Hajin Pocket ISIL showed themselves capable of continuing to conduct conventional military operations.

The battle was not a case of ISIL sitting in defensive positions and attempting to stop the SDF from reaching them. ISIL also mounted counter-offensives in efforts to drive the SDF back and defeat them.

The most notable of which came in late October 2018 when ISIL were able to force the SDF from the Hajin Pocket. Forcing the SDF's operation to be temporarily halted.

On December 5th 2018 (5/12/18) ISIL were able to launch another large counter-offensive across the Hajin Pocket. This though was much less successful for them. With at least 228 ISIL fighters being killed. Including when a 40 vehicle ISIL convoy was destroyed in a single CJTFOIR airstrike.

ISIL also proved themselves capable of launching proactive operations. Outside of the Hajin Pocket.

On November 21st 2018 (21/11/18) ISIL were able to attack the SDF at the Omar Oil & Gas Field. In the vicinity of Al-Busayrah. Around 65km (40 miles) north-west of Hajin. Where the Khobar River meets the Euphrates River.

As previously mentioned on November 24th 2018 (24/11/18) ISIL were able to launch large attacks on the towns of Bahrah and Gharanji. Bahrah is the next town north-west of Hajin, 5km (3 miles) away. Gharanji is directly adjacent to Bahrah at it's north-west tip.

While the attack on Gharanji was a complete failure the attack in Bahrah was highly effective. The SDF were forced out of the town. It took two full days of fighting before it was recovered. With the loss of 92 SDF fighters.

On December 2nd 2018 (2/12/18) ISIL were able to ambush an SDF supply convoy. Close to the town of Diban. Around 50km (30 miles) north-west of Hajin.

January 7th 2019 (7/1/19) saw ISIL apparently use tunnels to launch a so-called; "Inghimasi" attack against Raqqa City. Some 300km (180 miles) north-west of Hajin.

From the Arabic; "to plunge" an Inghimasi attack involves a fighter or fighters wearing a Suicide Vest (S-Vest) going deep within enemy territory and blowing themselves up. In the hope of doing as much damage to the enemy as possible.

Fortunately this attacker was detected and confronted by the SDF.

This forced him to detonate his device on Nur Street before being able to reach his intended target of Personal Affairs Office where civilians were queueing. However one member of the SDF and four civilians were killed.

On January 21st 2019 (21/1/19) ISIL were able to launch a Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) attack against an SDF supply convoy close to Shadaddi. This sits on the Khobar River some 200km (120 miles) north-west of Hajin.

February 3rd 2019 (3/2/19) saw ISIL conduct an attack against a water treatment plant in Tayyanah. This sits on the Euphrates, around 45km (25 miles) north-west of Hajin. 

These most significant attacks have been accompanied by numerous hit and run style attacks. Predominately against SDF positions in the oil and gas fields which sit to the north of the Hajin Pocket.

As the battle of the Hajin Pocket has progressed though ISIL have noticeably shifted towards using guerrilla tactics against the SDF. Ironically in an attempt to ape the tactics being used by the SDF in Afrin Canton. Against the forces of ISIL's main backer Turkey which continue to illegally occupy the area.

ISIL routinely exaggerate and simply lie about the attacks they've carried out.

Adding up every attack claimed by their Amaq propaganda mouthpiece ISIL have succeeded in killing every single member of the SDF. Along with every one of the CJTFOIR troops deployed to Syria. Several times over.

However in the period between November 12th 2018 (12/11/18) and February 7th 2019 (7/2/19) there have been 76 confirmed attacks. With a notable increase in frequency starting early to mid December 2018.

These attacks have all been in the nature of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) bombings, sniper attacks, targeted assassinations and ambushes against vehicle patrols.

Rather amusingly on December 12th 2018 (12/12/18) ISIL made an uncorroborated claim of a stabbing attack against the SDF in Shadaddi. You wouldn't think they would want to boast about being reduced to using the tactics their lone-wolf attackers use in western nations. In what used to be the group's heartland.

You will be glad to know that I am not going to list each of these 76 attacks.

The majority of them though have taken place in and around the areas directly on the banks of the Euphrates. Particularly around Raqqa City. They have also clustered around the towns of Darnaj and Diban. This sit around 40km (20 miles) and 50km (30 miles) north-west of Hajin respectively and are of limited strategic importance.

However the attacks have also managed to spread far and wide across Shangri-La. Including into areas where ISIL have never held territory.

On November 20th 2018 (20/11/18) one member of the SDF was killed in an IED attack in the town of Tal Byad/Gire Spi. This sits right on the border between Shangri-La and Turkey. Around 120km (70 miles) north of Raqqa City. It's been under complete SDF control since June 2015.

On November 21st 2018 (21/11/18) three members of the SDF and four members of the SDF civilian police (Asayish) were killed in bombings in Shadaddi and Dashisha. Dashisha sits around 30km (20 miles) south of Shadaddi. Both were liberated by the SDF back in February 2016.

November 28th 2018 (28/11/18) saw two members of the SDF killed in a roadside IED attack on their vehicle in Hasakah City. Although it was totally liberated by the SDF August 2015 Hasakah City has never been fully out of the SDF's control.

The SDF's security headquarters in Ras al-Ayn/Serekanyie was attacked with a large IED on December 1st 2018 (1/12/18). Resulting in 13 members of the SDF being killed.

Serekanyie is located right on Shangri-La's border with Turkey, around 180km (110 miles) north-east of Raqqa City. It has never been under the control of anyone except the SDF throughout the entire conflict.

On December 20th 2018 (20/12/18) a roadside IED attack targeted an SDF patrol in Qamishli/Qamishlo. Fortunately it did not succeed in causing any casualties.

Considered the capital of Syria's Kurdish region Qamishlo has never been under the control of anyone except the SDF. Located as it is right on Shangri-La's border with Turkey. Some 400km (240 miles) north of Hajin.

On December 26th 2018 (26/12/18) an SDF commander, Jawan Khalil was killed in a targeted assassination. Within Hasakah City.

There was another targeted assassination on December 30th 2018 (30/12/18). This time Marwan Fateeh, co-chair of the civilian Deir-ez-Zour legislative council was killed. On the road linking Hasakah City and Deir-ez-Zour City.

On January 28th 2019 (28/1/19) there was a sniper attack in Tal Abyad/Gire Spi. In which one member of the SDF was killed.

The attacks have also clustered around the town of Manbij. This marks the westerly border of Shangri-La. Sitting on the western bank of the Euphrates Manbij is the town which controls the Tishreen Dam across the river. It sits around 65km (40 miles) south-west of Kobane/Ayn al-Arab.

Of the 76 attacks targeting Shangri-La during this period 13 of them struck Manbij alone.

These include attacks such as the targeted assassination of Hamza Zaza, of the SDF's Manbij Military Council (M-MC). With an IED attached to his vehicle on November 24th 2018 (24/11/18). A drive-by shooting of the SDF's Manbij HQ on December 6th 2018 (6/12/18). Which resulted in no casualties.

The majority though have been IED attacks. Targeting both SDF patrols and civilians.


21:00 on 20/2/19 (UK date).