Ziad Al-Halabi, Baladi News, Aleppo
"Mare` operations' room" issued on Sunday a statement in which it talked about the recent events that took place in the town of Mare` and the surrounding villages during the past two days, following the battles with "ISIS" and its control of several villages north of Mare` and separating it from the border town of Azaz which is considered the largest stronghold of the rebels north of Aleppo.
According to the statement, " Following ISIS attack on the villages of Kaljabreen and Kafr kalbeen and taking control over them after fierce battles with the rebels, Syrian democratic forces contacted the rebels to secure a road for the civilians to cross toward Azaz north of Mare' through Tel Rifaet, but "SDF" violated the agreement and detained civilians, then sent a delegation to negotiate the rebels concerning the detainees, while ISIS was preparing to attack Mare`".
Marwan Al-Kurdi, a leader in the Free Army told Baladi News, "ISIS has been trying to control the city for more than two years through continuous but fruitless attempts to storm into it from different axes using dozens of car bombs." "By attacking Mare' ISIS is aiming at controlling the second largest stronghold of the rebels in the northern countryside of Aleppo and the second most important city after Azaz on the border, not to forget that it contains the fiercest fighters of Free Army. Therefore, seizing control over Mare' and defeating the Free Army in it makes it easy for ISIS to take control over the rest of villages and towns in the area".
Some observers believe that there is a clear coordination between Syrian Democratic Forces militia and ISIS regarding the elimination of rebels in the northern countryside of Aleppo as SDF militia attacks their strongholds from the west, while ISIS hits from the east with no clashes between the two on the front lines despite their declared hostility. They even opened a trade road lately (The road of Ahras) under the pretext of common interest which indicates setting aside the fighting.
It's noteworthy that the city of Mare' is considered a revolutionary symbol for the rebels of Aleppo as it's the homeland of martyr Abdul Kadir Al-Salih who was a leader in the Free Army. It's also one of the most cities bombarded by regime forces, ISIS, and Kurdish parties in the northern part of Syria.