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Raqqa: Evacuation deal agreed
[ITV] Citizens and holy warrior fighters trapped inside Raqqa are to be given a safe passage out as troops prepare for the "final battle" to recapture the Syrian city, US-led opposition forces have said.Syrian government forces and their allies say they are preparing to wrest back the former stronghold of so-called Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allaharound with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not reallyMoslems.... in a major blow for the terror group. They have been making steady advances into Raqqa in recent days. Officials believe that IS fighters still within the city are cut off from their leadership and probably only have small arms left. The US coalition said that an agreement had been reached between local officials and rustics will allow out both civilians and local IS fighters but not foreign holy warriors. Omar Alloush, an official from the Local Raqqa Council, confirmed the deal on Saturday saying local fighters have been included in the evacuation. He didn't immediately comment on the number of evacuees. In a statement on Saturday, the coalition said it is not involved in the talks but "believes that it will save lives" and allow the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and their partners to focus on defeating IS in Raqqa with less risk to civilians. The deal reached on Thursday allows the SDF to screen and search all those leaving the area. The coalition said a convoy of vehicles is to leave Raqqa later on Saturday. Posted by: Fred 2017-10-15 |
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