US and Kurdish forces hold joint weapons training in Syria
Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) take part in a joint military exercise with forces of the US-led "Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve" coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group in the countryside of the town of al-Malikiya (Derik in Kurdish) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province.
The manoeuvres began in which TOW missiles, RPGs and Kalashnikov weapons were used, with American armoured vehicles, reconnaissance vehicles, and a number of American officers and soldiers.
After completing the manoeuvres, the Syrian Democratic Forces and the international coalition held a joint press conference at the same location.
During the press conference, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said: "This is the first time that joint manoeuvres have been conducted inside the Derik area."
About the objectives of these manoeuvres and military exercises, he said, "to enhance coordination and joint action against ISIS and its sleeper cells.
For his part, Commander of the Armoured Division of the US Army in North and East Syria, Captain David, said that they are discussing with the Syrian Democratic Forces how to coordinate their operations against ISIS mercenary cells in the region.
He pointed out that the manoeuvres come within the framework of joint action between the coalition forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
