French Special Forces were tasked with training the
US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and building a military base
near Kobani ahead of a major offensive on the ISIS-held city of Manbij,
said a former Kobani official on Wednesday.
"French soldiers arrived in Kobani along with US troops to take part in
liberating Manbij. They are primarily tasked with coordinating the
US-led coalition airstrikes, consulting and providing training to
Manbij's Military council and the Syrian Democratic Forces," said former
Kobani official and political analyst Idris Nessan, Sputnik reported.
The French on the ground are not expected to take part in combat, at
least for now, and Nessan could not disclose how many French soldiers
were present in Kobani, however he added that additional troops could
arrive if required.
Manbij is a strategically important city located southwest of Kobani in
Northern Syria. It has been surrounded by Kurdish and Arab fighters,
but ISIS militants are still maintaining their grip on the urban area
itself.
The siege has dealt a major blow to the terrorist group that relies
heavily on unfettered access to Turkey that has allowed the organization
to regroup, rearm and resupply. Manbij has also served as a key link
between the border region and the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto
capital of the ISIS.
"France also intends to build a military base in Kobani. However,
contrary to earlier reports, construction works will not take place at
the Mistenur hill. The facility will instead be located in the South of
Kobani," he explained.
No military activity has been detected at Mistenur, he added.
"In addition, this area is not suitable for building a base due to
security reasons. The French forces have been stationed at a cement
factory to the South of Kobani," he noted.
France admitted that its special forces were deployed to Northern Syria
last week. "We are helping with arms, we are helping with aerial
support, we are helping with advice," France's Defense Minister
Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
French army spokesman Colonel Gilles Jaron later confirmed the
information, but refused to provide additional information to protect
the Special Forces involved in the operation, FNA reported.
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