Women's Defense Units (YPJ) commander Rojda Kobanê evaluated the importance of the Operation Cizire Storm to liberate the remaining area outside of Syria’s liberated Cizire and Eastern Euphrates lands and to clear the eastern rural areas of Deir ez-Zor.

In the video below published by YPG Press Office, YPJ Commander Kobanê said: "As it is known we have launched the campaign for Deir ez-Zor. The operation continues successfully and until now about 20 kilometres of land has been liberated. No negative incidents came to pass our fighters until now. The comrades are making splendid advances."

Kobanê noted that the majority of the combatants joining the operation are Arab fighters from Deir ez-Zor and said: "Many Arab fighters joined the offensive following the Deir ez-Zor Military Council's announcement of the start of the operation in a press statement."

Replying to the question "What has made Deir ez-Zor to an objective worth heading for it?" Kobanê said: "We are conducting it at the same time parallel to the Operation to Liberate Raqqa. Even though ISIS has been stalemated and cornered in Raqqa, they are still launching attacks in the Deir ez-Zor region. That area is therefore very strategic. As it is known, massive attacks were launched on Hesekê from the Shedad region in the past. The attacks on the Cizire Canton were all planned and organised here. This was their planning centre. ISIS is a terror force, to fight against them is our first and foremost duty. We clarified this stance of ours from the revolution's very first day on. No matter where this terror force might operate, we will fight against them everywhere."

Rojda Kobanê stated that the system of ISIS predominantly bases on terrorizing women and said: "The people welcomed the YPJ's participation in the operation very positively. Our goal is to reach the Euphrates, and we can get there within two days if it continues at this pace. We will come close enough to be within sight of Deir ez-Zor. This fills you with excitement. Many of our fighting comrades are hurrying with euphoria to liberate their villages for their families."

YPJ Commander made following appeal to the local people: "The people shall help the fighters, identify ISIS positions and be of help. They shall not come close to the embattled zone or support ISIS in whatever way there is. Apart from this, when the civilians reach our fighters they shall know themselves safe. We hope that the people of Deir ez-Zor will receive our fighters with open arms. We saw also yesterday that many families have been rescued. They welcomed our fighters very positively."