A new coalition backed by the US to fight ISIL in Syria is expected to have the support of US Special Forces.
There is a new push against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Syria and Iraq.
And it seems to be a coordinated one even though America’s partners on the ground in both countries – the Kurds, are not allies.
In Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces announced the start of an offensive that it hopes will end ISIL’s presence in the northeastern corner of the country.
It will try to push ISIL from the southern countryside of the northeastern province of Hassakeh.
Right across the border in Iraq, the Iraqi Kurdish force – the Peshmerga – along with thousands of Yazidi fighters, have been massing in the northwest for an offensive to retake Sinjar, which ISIL captured over a year ago.
Sinjar lies along a main highway linking ISIL strongholds: the Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqa.
The land offensive on both sides of the border aims to interrupt ISIL supply lines, retake territory and put pressure on the group.
Losing Sinjar would make it more difficult for ISIL to resupply Mosul. And the assault in Hassakeh will be a step toward isolating ISIL in Raqqa.
Syria corner
“We announce the first step in our military campaign to liberate Syria from terrorists, many groups are participating in this effort with the coordination and support of the US led coalition,” the Syrian Democratic Forces said.
This newly formed alliance includes Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian forces.
It is also expected to receive the help of US Special Forces which the Obama Administration plans to deploy to Syria for the first time to help in the fight against ISIL.
US ground involvement in Syria is focused solely on fighting ISIL – Secretary of State John Kerry has said the US is not entering the war.
The Syrian Democratic Forces say its goal is not just to end ISIL’s presence but build a democratic, unified and secular Syria – a goal shared by the US.

Reported by: Zeina Khodr