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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Syrian rebels capture 50 localities from ISIS in Raqqa |
| 2016-11-12 |
| Raqqa – The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have liberated more than 50 villages and farms from ISIS since the start of the battle for Raqqa last Sunday, military sources reported on Friday. Also, the SDF on Friday captured the town of al-Hurriya in northern Raqqa, while the forces started to move into the Haysha town–which represents the main ISIS stronghold in northern Raqqa. The SDF troops have cleared dozens of villages in the area stretching from the towns of Suluk to Ain Issa, in northern Raqqa, as the first phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation nears completion. The SDF forces now control an area measuring approximately 25 km² of Raqqa Governorate, pushing ISIS back into the key city of Raqqa. SDF Field Commander Egid Gabani told ARA News that their forces have liberated most of the villages in the northern countryside of Raqqa. “Our forces have advanced with a depth of 25km into Raqqa, liberating most of the villages in the northern countryside. ISIS is only present in the Haysha town, which is besieged completely by our [SDF] forces. As soon as the roads are cleared of explosives, we’ll storm the final headquarters of ISIS there,” the SDF commander said. Ibrahim Mihemed, an SDF fighter, told ARA News: “Our specialised teams are now dismantling explosives in the Hisha suburb in order to clear the roads for a further SDF advance.” Supported by the US-led coalition, the SDF launched on November 6th the Euphrates Wrath Operation to liberate Raqqa–de facto capital of the ISIS self-proclaimed caliphate. The campaign’s ultimate goal is the isolation and capture of Raqqa city. Noteworthy, SDF factions participating in the Euphrates Wrath Operation include Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Syriac Military Council, Raqqa Revolutionaries Battalion and Tel Abyad Revolutionary Brigade. These ground forces are being bolstered by the US-led coalition, which is providing air support and advice from US military experts. Video report at the link |
| Posted by:badanov |