US-backed Syrian forces disclose outcome of 10-day fighting in Raqqa

RAQQA, Syria (Kurdistan24) – The US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) on Saturday revealed the outcome of the offensive to retake Raqqa city, the group’s main stronghold in Syria.

In a statement of which Kurdistan24 received a copy, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said they liberated four neighborhoods of Raqqa and killed 312 IS militants.

The SDF fighters also captured seven IS militants, the statement said.

Regarding the SDF’s losses, the report announced they lost 15 troops during the 10-day fighting in Raqqa.

The SDF also said 21 of their fighters were injured during the offensive on the city.

On June 6, the SDF, which the Syrian Kurdish YPG is a key component, supported by the US-led coalition airstrikes and US forces launched the major operation to retake Raqqa city from IS.   

Additionally, the SDF said they destroyed 10 bombed motorcycles, five armored vehicles, five bombed vehicles, and a factory for making explosives.

“Our forces [SDF] seized 14 Kalashnikovs, eight PK guns, three RPG launchers, 16 shells, 16 RPG charges, eight hand grenades, 20 120mm mortar rounds, 30 Katyusha rockets, 10 radios, and two portable computers,” the statement further detailed.

The SDF fighters also said they shot down four drones belonging to the insurgent group.

The Kurdistan24 team embedded with the SDF in Raqqa on Sunday reported dozens of civilians had fled the IS-held areas to the liberated areas.

Moreover, Kurdistan24 learned from SDF fighters that 38 IS insurgents were killed yesterday in the Bayatra neighborhood, east of the city, and the Hiteen neighborhood on the west side of the city.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany