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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| More reinforcements join in the Raqqa battles |
| 2016-12-11 |
| [ARA News] Raqqa – Syrian Elite Forces, headed by former chief of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) Ahmad Jarba, have joined the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Raqqa, officials said on Saturday. Jarba, a prominent Syrian opposition figure and leading member of the Shammar Arab tribe, has established the Elite Forces with support from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Officials from the SDF and the US-led coalition confirmed on Saturday that the Elite Forces have joined the second phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation–aimed at isolating and eventually eliminating ISIS in Raqqa. The Syrian Elite Forces, the military wing of Jarba’s Syrian Tomorrow Party, have been cooperating with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Shaddadi near Deir ez-Zor, but did not join the SDF forces. Initially, the Jarba-led forces were based near Shadadi and only fought in the Hasakah Governorate and near Deir ez-Zor. But now the coalition forces and officials of the Syrian Democratic Forces say the Elite Forces are an official part of the Raqqa campaign. “One notable faction joining the Raqqa campaign is the Syrian Elite Forces, who are led by Ahmad al-Jarba, an influential member in the region who has the ability to mobilize local forces in support of the offensive,” said Colonel John Dorrian, spokesman for the US-led coalition. “The SDF now consists of approximately 45,000 fighters, more than 13,000 of which are Arab,” he said, while Kurds remain a majority in the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syrian rebels launch Phase 2 of Raqqa offensive [ARA News] Raqqa – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday announced the begin of the second phase of Euphrates Wrath Operation to combat Islamic State’s (ISIS) militants in their de facto capital Raqqa. Cihan Shekh Ehmed, spokesperson of the SDF-led Euphrates Wrath Operation, told a press conference: “The Syrian Democratic Forces decided to launch the second phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation. This stage is aimed at liberating the western countryside of Raqqa from ISIS, beside completing the isolation of Raqqa City.” “The operation will continue until all goals are accomplished,” she said. According to the SDF spokeswoman, more than 1500 Arab fighters have joined the Kurdish-led SDF in the fight for Raqqa. “We also announce that the Euphrates Wrath Operation has been expanding with new factions joining the SDF ranks to eliminate ISIS in Raqqa,” Cihan said. “More than 1500 Arab fighters have joined the Syrian Democratic Forces in battle for Raqqa, and they’ve been equipped by the US-led coalition.” “The new factions include the Deir Ezzor Military Council, Raqqa Revolutionary Battalion and the Elite Forces affiliated with the Syrian Future Movement. “We want to stress that the coordination between the SDF and the Western Coalition has reached a high level,” she said, adding: “This coordination and cooperation will ensure a successful second phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation.” The Kurdish official also stressed that after expelling ISIS from Raqqa, the city will be run by a local civilian council. “Once liberated, the city of Raqqa will be run by its own people, by a civilian council established locally and representatives elected by the people of Raqqa,” she said. Four weeks ago, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces launched the Euphrates Wrath Operation, with support from the US-led coalition. The operation’s long-term objective is the isolation and elimination of the Islamic State in Raqqa. During the first phase of Euphrates Wrath, SDF soldiers captured an area measuring approximately 560 km2, containing dozens of towns, villages and farms. Military sources told ARA News that more than 185 ISIS jihadists have been killed since November 6. The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Syriac Military Council, Raqqa Revolutionaries Battalion and Tel Abyad Revolutionary Brigade are participating in Euphrates Wrath. In addition to these local fighters, foreign soldiers from a half-dozen nations are participating, either as YPG volunteers or under the auspices of the US-led coalition. Video report at the link |
| Posted by:badanov |