The US-led Coalition Forces, with the participation of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, resumed regular patrols on Friday with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near the Al-Jawadiyah area east of Al-Qamishli in the northern countryside of Al-Hasakah, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.

Two four-vehicle patrols carrying American flags departed separately from a base at Rmelan in the Hassakeh province accompanied by an SDF military vehicle. The patrols carried out heavy weapons and mortar exercises with the aim of knowing the efficiency and readiness of the fighters, confirming their support for Syrian SDF – according to the Syrian Observatory. The patrols set off from Rumaylan town and toured the market in Ma’badah town and some villages in the eastern countryside of Al-Hasakah.

Patrols have been reduced since the Turkish strikes that began on 20 November in Kurdish-held areas of northeast Syria and Iraq. Late on 23 November, the SDF announced it was suspending its mission against ISIS due to Turkey’s airstrikes.

Since 20 November, intense airstrikes have been carried out by the Turkish forces against North and East Syria which killed dozens and destroyed facilities and infrastructure along the whole border strip, from Aleppo in the northwest to Derik in the northeast. The attacks also included al-Hawl Camp which is home to tens of thousands of ISIS families.

Turkey launched the airstrikes after blaming the Kurdish forces for the recent Istanbul bomb explosion, a claim which Kurdish groups have denied.