US-led coalition negotiating Daesh surrender: Sources

By Mohamed Misto and Adham Kako</p> <p><br></p> <p>DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria/ANKARA (AA) – U.S.-led coalition forces and the YPG/PKK terrorist group are currently negotiating with Daesh militants captured in Syria's eastern Deir Ez-Zor province, local sources said Thursday.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Coalition forces have temporarily suspended operations to give Daesh a chance to surrender in Deir Ez-Zor’s town of Bagoz east of the Euphrates, one local source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Coalition officials, for their part, have yet to confirm the source’s assertions.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In a related development, seven trucks bearing humanitarian aid for civilians arrived in the region on Wednesday.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Last year, the YPG/PKK — with U.S. assistance — captured parts of Deir ez-Zor’s eastern, western and northern outskirts west of the Euphrates.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In September, the terrorist group — with U.S. air support and French support on the ground — began operations to purge Daesh from Deir ez-Zor.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Shortly after taking Hajin, Daesh’s last stronghold in the province, the YPG/PKK also managed to capture the town of Buhatir.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Daesh’s presence in Deir ez-Zor is now limited to the town of Bagoz. Areas west of the Euphrates, meanwhile, remain under the control of Syrian regime forces.</p> <p><br></p> <p>According to estimates, the YPG/PKK currently occupies roughly one third of Syria’s total territory.