The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Press Center issued a statement confirming that "on Friday (December 27) at around 01:00, gangs attacked our forces on the fronts in the villages of Ebu Qelqel and Elush. Violent clashes took place when our fighters responded to the attacks."

The statement added: "The gangs suffered heavy blows in the clashes. At the beginning of the clashes, a group of mercenaries was completely destroyed. The enemy, who put a large reinforcement into the village where the clashes took place, was heavily hit by our forces. Apart from one of our fighters being slightly injured, our forces suffered no casualties in the clashes."

The statement continued: "The Martyr Harun Unit also destroyed four vehicles belonging to the gangs hidden around the houses and a group of gangs. During the resistance of our fighters, 17 gang members, including the commander of the gang group called ‘Northern Commando Brigade’ (Mehavir el Şemal), were killed. 40 gang members, including gang leaders, were injured."