The principle U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led power in northeastern Syria mentioned Friday it misplaced 9 fighters, together with a commander, when two helicopters crashed this week in neighboring Iraq.The group generally known as Syrian Democratic Forces mentioned the helicopters crashed throughout dangerous climate whereas en path to the northern Iraqi metropolis of Suleimaniyah on Wednesday night time. The 9 killed included elite fighters, the group mentioned.The assertion added that the Syrian Kurdish fighters have been in Iraq as a part of an “change of experience” within the struggle in opposition to the militant Islamic state group. It recognized the killed commander as Sherfan Kobani, a cousin of SDF’s prime commander, Mazloum Abdi.The SDF didn’t elaborate on the reason for the crash or present additional particulars. The group known as on native authorities in Iraq at hand over the 9 our bodies so that they could possibly be introduced residence for burial in Syria.The SDF has been a fundamental power within the struggle in opposition to the militant Islamic State group in Syria and nonetheless carries out operations in opposition to the extremists. IS as soon as managed massive elements of Syria and Iraq below the extremists’ so-called caliphate and nonetheless has sleeper cells within the area. The militants often stage assaults, focusing on Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, and in addition Iraqi forces and civilians in Iraq.TURKEY INCHES CLOSER TO INVASION OF NORTHERN SYRIA AS ISLAMIC STATE TERROR THREAT GROWS The Syrian Kurdish power misplaced 9 fighters within the crash of two Iraq helicopters this week. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe SDF assertion is in sharp distinction to a report on Thursday from Iraqi Kurdish authorities, which mentioned that just one helicopter — an AS350 Eurocopter — had crashed in Iraq’s Dohuk province within the northern semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdish area.That report mentioned that at the least 5 folks, together with insurgents of Turkey’s outlawed Kurdistan Employee’s Celebration, or PKK, have been on board. Zagros Hiwa, a PKK spokesperson, mentioned Thursday the group doesn’t possess helicopters and that the PKK was additionally investigating the crash.The PKK has been waging an insurgency in opposition to Turkey because the Eighties and is taken into account a terrorist group by Ankara, america and the European Union. Its militants have established protected havens in northern Iraq and often come below assault by Turkey within the area.Iraq’s authorities, the U.S-led coalition and Turkey had all denied possession of the helicopter.
Syrian Kurdish force loses 9 fighters in 2 Iraq helicopter crashes
