- Title: Turkey-backed Syrian rebels find network of tunnels in Tel Abyad
- Date: 17th October 2019
- Summary: TEL ABYAD, SYRIA (OCTOBER 17, 2019) (REUTERS) FIGHTERS LOOKING INTO TUNNELS ENTRANCE TO TUNNEL TUNNEL ENTRANCE FIGHTERS STANDING AROUND TUNNELS FIGHTER ENTERING TUNNEL VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS WALKING THROUGH TUNNEL TUNNEL VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS WALKING THROUGH TUNNELS FIGHTER GOING DOWN TUNNEL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEADER IN FREE SYRIAN ARMY (FSA), YAZN ABU THABET, SAYING: "We have freed the area of Tel Abyad completely, but after freeing it, we discovered a massive network of tunnels underground. In this network, there are more than 50 to 60 operation rooms underground. But we are facing some issues. These tunnels, most of them are running under civilian houses. We are facing some problems with this." VARIOUS OF FSA FIGHTERS BY TUNNELS BLOCKS IN DESERT FIGHTERS BY TUNNEL AREA VARIOUS OF BULLDOZER CARRYING AND EMPTYING SAND (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF FREE SYRIAN ARMY, KARAM KABSO, SAYING: "After freeing Tel Abyad, we found tunnels underground and especially under civilian houses. From Tel Abyad to Ras Al Ain to the end of the other town. We are facing a lot of problems with these tunnels. We are now covering these tunnels." FIGHTERS BY TUNNELS ENTRANCE TO TUNNELS VARIOUS OF TUNNEL EXIT VARIOUS OF TUNNELS IN DESERT AREA
- Embargoed: 31st October 2019 19:01
- Keywords: series of tunnels in Tel Abyad YPG militia Peace Spring Turkey offensive Kurds kurdish fighters
- Location: TEL ABYAD, SYRIA
- City: TEL ABYAD, SYRIA
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA001B1HMFD3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Turkey-backed Syrian rebel fighters discovered a series of tunnels in Tel Abyad in Syria on Thursday (October 17). The network is believed to be connecting areas previously controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The underground network is spread over kilometres and runs under houses, fighters said.
The Turkey-backed rebels said they were struggling to destroy the tunnels because they run under civilian houses.
The tunnels also contain operation rooms, lounges, and food storage chambers.
Tel Abyad was taken over by Turkish-backed rebels during the assault against the Syrian-Kurdish YPG militia. Much of the fighting so far has taken place around the two border cities of Tel Abyad and Ras Al Ain.
Turkey has agreed to pause its offensive for five days to let Kurdish forces withdraw from a "safe zone" Ankara had sought to capture.
(Production: Mahmoud Hassano, Nadeen Ebrahim) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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