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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| SDF have ‘reached the Euphrates’ 10 days into campaign for Raqqa |
| 2016-12-21 |
| [RUDAW.NET] Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have clashed with ISIS faceless myrmidons on the road to Jabaar Castle on the Euphrates River, killing nine of the bully boy fighters, they announced Tuesday. The festivities come on the tenth day of the SDF’s second stage of their Wrath of Euphrates operation to liberate ISIS’ stronghold of Raqqa. Their forces have reached the Euphrates and retaken a large area northwest of Raqqa, they announced on Tuesday. "Our fighters have reached the Euphrates after liberating a large area from ISIS groups," reads a statement from the SDF. "During the first 10 days in the second stage in the Operation Wrath of Euphrates, which was launched from the directions of Qadiriyê and Kerdosan villages with the goal of liberating western Raqqa, fighters have liberated 97 villages, dozens of hamlets and strategic hills in a total area of 1300 square kilometers," said spokesperson Jihan Sheikh Ahmad in a press briefing. Ahmed added that "96 ISIS members were killed in festivities and 7 others were captured and taken captive, including one gang member who surrendered together with his family." The SDF have also suffered casualties during the offensive ‐ 9 fighters were killed and 12 were maimed, Ahmad stated. The Kurdish-led coalition of forces with a strong contingent from Raqqa itself is carrying out the offensive with backing from the US-led coalition. In the ten days of fighting, they have defused as many as 550 mines planted by ISIS and seized a large quantity of arms. The SDF warned civilians eager to return to their homes that some locations have yet to be cleared and advised them "to stay away from areas occupied by ISIS gangs." In the first phase of the campaign, the SDF had liberated 50 villages and 50 farms, "plus they liberated 150 families and killed 150 ISIS gangsters, and liberated 550 square kilometres of territory." The military operation to retake the Syrian city of Raqqa from ISIS, ousting the bully boy group from their de facto capital, was launched in early November on two fronts north of the city, from the towns of Saluq and Ayn Issa, by a coalition of forces fighting under the SDF flag. The offensive began with 9 brigades, including Kurdish forces, Christians, Turkmens, and many Arab brigades from the Raqqa area, but has since grown as more recruits have completed training and joined the force. More from ARA News: Syrian rebels expel ISIS from 97 villages Raqqa – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) made new gains in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in western Raqqa. The SDF on Tuesday announced that they have captured 97 villages in an area measuring approximately 1300 square kilometres since the launch of the Euphrates Wrath Operation’s second phase earlier in December. According to the Kurdish-led SDF, the operation will continue until its goals are reached by isolating ISIS in Raqqa and eventually liberating the city, which has been taken by the group as a de facto capital for its self-proclaimed Caliphate. In a press conference in the Jahisha town, west of Raqqa, the SDF leadership announced the outcomes of the first 10 days of the operation. “Our forces advanced towards Raqqa from two axis, al-Qadiriyah and Kerdoshan,” the SDF said. “We have dismantled more than 550 landmines that had been planted by ISIS in western Raqqa. The dismantling operations continue in the area.” The SDF launched the second phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation on the 10th of December, with the objective of liberating the western countryside of Raqqa and the strategic Tabqa Dam. Chin Sheikh Ahmed, the Official Spokesperson of the Euphrates Wrath Operation, told ARA News: “At least 96 ISIS militants have been killed so far and seven militants arrested in this phase of the operation. Also, one ISIS militant surrendered with his family to the Syrian Democratic Forces.” “The clashes are now centred in the vicinity of the Jaabar Citadel,” she said. “The operation will continue until liberating western Raqqa, which is the main goal of this phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation.” According to Abdulqadir Fadel, a member of the Euphrates Wrath Operation’s Chamber, American military experts played a key role in preparing the SDF forces for this operation. “The US-led coalition continues to provide support to our forces in the campaign. There are also Western military experts participating in this operation,” Fadel told ARA News, adding: “In the framework of this operation, various factions have joined the SDF ranks. This came at the request of the local Arab tribes in the liberated areas.” During the first phase of Euphrates Wrath, SDF soldiers captured an area measuring approximately 560 km2. The long-term objective of Euphrates Wrath is the elimination of the Islamic State in its de facto capital, Raqqa city. Video report at the link |
| Posted by:Fred |