ousa, Syria (CNN)Syrian Kurdish forces are resuming the final phase of operations against ISIS, as the terrorist group is pushed back into its last remaining slivers of territory.
The resumption comes as CNN releases remarkable and rare frontline footage of the recent intense fight against ISIS, filmed by Brazilian photographer Gabriel Chaim.
The latest Kurdish push against ISIS follows a lengthy and contentious stand-off with Turkish forces. Turkey, a NATO member, considers the Syrian Kurds — the US coalition’s main ally in the fight against ISIS — a terrorist group.
YPG fighters are seen on the frontline on October 18, in Baghoz, Syria, during an operation to retake the last stronghold of ISIS in Syria.
Clashes between the Turkish military and the Syrian Kurds — also known as the SDF when allied with Syrian Arab fighters against ISIS — have intermittently plagued and delayed the final operations against ISIS. The most recent suspension occurred November 1, but operations restarted Sunday, the SDF said in a statement.
The SDF said operations resumed after “positive calls from our allies to de-escalate and focus the efforts on defeating ISIS, as it would contribute to the stabilization of the area and the benefit of all parties.” The US has long been mediating between Ankara and the SDF to lessen tension to the point where the SDF can focus on ISIS.