YPG (People's Defense Units) Press Office released the balance sheet of war for the month of March, which is as follows;

“During the month of March, 2017 the Turkish army and affiliated gangs attacked the lands of Rojava (West) Kurdistan with heavy weaponry 47 times. These attacks violently targeted mainly the cantons of Kobanê and Efrîn.

During March, Turkish army violated the Rojava border 7 times and attempted to invade the Rojava land. In addition, Turkish aircraft violated Rojava airspace and conducted reconnaissance activity 8 times.

On the basis of legitimate defense, YPG/YPJ forces responded to the harassment and attacks of the invading Turkish army 27 times. As result, 2 UAVs of the Turkish army were downed, 1 tank was destroyed, 1 dozer was damaged, 2 soldiers of the Turkish army were killed and 2 others were wounded.

3 soldiers of self-defense forces were injured and a child aged 14 was savagely killed in the border area between Girê Spî and Serêkaniyê as result of the invading Turkish army attacks during March.

ISIS gangs attacked YPG/YPJ positions 3 times during the month of March. One of these attacks targeted the Azawî village of Shaddadi on March 27. Upon the immediate and harsh response of YPG/YPJ forces, 1 tank, 2 DShK-mounted vehicles, 3 bomb-laden vehicles and one military vehicle were destroyed. Apart from that, corpses of 45 gang members were seized, in addition to 3 drones and 15 hand grenades. During the retaliation against the attacks, 2 YPG fighters were martyred whilst putting up a heroic fight."

YPG continued, giving the following details regarding the outcomes during the third phase of the Operation Wrath of Euphrates to liberate the Raqqa city from ISIS.

"Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that include YPG/YPJ continue making advances in the third phase of the Operation Wrath of Euphrates to liberate the Raqqa city from ISIS. Fighters advancing on three fronts have liberated a total area of 1786 square kilometers. The 540 km2 land liberated east of Raqqa by the fighters advancing on Bîr al-Hîba axis includes the Karama town that was being used by ISIS as a major base.

In the area where SDF fighters on Abû Xeseb front advance, an area of 110 km2 was liberated from ISIS gangs, raising the total extent of liberated areas to 1640 km2 which comprises several villages and hamlets. SDF fighters transferred the civilians rescued from the captivity of the gangs to safe areas. Professional units cleared the mines in liberated areas, enabling the locals to return home safely.

272 members of the gangs were killed and corpses of 67 were seized, in addition to a large number of munitions and a large quantity of ammunition. SDF fighters also discovered a pharmaceutical warehouse and an explosive manufacturing plant of the gangs.

Fighters advancing on the third axis continue making advances for the liberation of the Tabqa town and the Euphrates Dam. The fighters on this front have liberated an area of 146 km2 that involves 13 villages and 10 hamlets. All the roads leading to Tabqa have been taken under control.

During the advance on this axis, 79 ISIS members were killed and corpses of 5 were seized, while 5 other gang members were taken captive. 5 military vehicles, 2 DShK weapons and a large quantity of ammunition were seized from the gangs.

During the month of March, 82 YPG/YPJ members were martyred; including 63 in the Operation Wrath of Euphrates, 9 in Shaddadi as result of ISIS attacks and 4 as result of artillery attacks of the invading Turkish army. 6 other YPG/YPJ fighters lost their lives as result of heart attack and accidents."