Syrian forces, Kurds join to fight IS in Hasakeh

Hasakeh

In two districts of Syria's Hasakeh city, Kurdish fighters and regime forces rest before returning to battle the Islamic State group, a shared enemy being fought jointly for the first time.

Although the two forces are fighting in different parts of the northeastern city, where control is divided between the Kurds and the government, both are necessary to defeat the jihadists.

"We can't fight all alone in Hasakeh because IS attacked in great numbers," a government soldier said, sheltering from the scorching heat in a house surrounded by sandbags in the Ghweyran district. 

The capital of Hasakeh province has been spared much of the violence of Syria's conflict, and control of the city has been shared between Kurdish and regime forces for several years now.

But IS has encroached gradually in the province, and made a series of attempts to enter the city, finally succeeding in an operation that began on June 25.

The jihadists seized several southern neighbourhoods and prompted tens of thousands of residents to flee, forcing Kurdish fighters and regime troops into an unofficial alliance to defend the city.

The joint effort has borne fruit in recent days, with fighters from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) taking territory south of the city from IS, effectively encircling them.