YPG-led forces launch 'Great Battle' on Raqqa city
RAQQA, Syria (Kurdistan24) – The US-backed Syrian Kurdish-Arab alliance forces on Tuesday announced the start of a comprehensive operation to retake the city of Raqqa from the Islamic State (IS).
In a press conference broadcasted by Kurdistan24, the spokesperson of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Talal Silo confirmed the start of the major operation to liberate Raqqa city, IS’ de facto capital in Syria.
“We announce that we have launched the ‘Great Battle’ for the liberation of the city of Raqqa, which the gangs have made the capital of terror and terrorism,” he said referring to IS militants.
Silo added the battle would be supported by the US-led coalition. “The battle plan which has been discussed with our partners on the ground, the International Coalition, is ready to be implemented,” he said.
The SDF spokesperson called on the people of Raqqa to avoid the areas of clashes and stay far from IS’ headquarters in the city.
“We call on our people in Raqqa to stay away from the enemy’s centers, vulnerable spots, and conflict areas,” he said.
Silo further pointed out the operation had begun from the north, east, and west of the city, which is bordered to the south by the River Euphrates.
IS captured Raqqa from Syrian rebel groups in 2014 and has used it as an operations base to plan attacks abroad, mostly in Europe.
RAQQA OFFENSIVE: FIVE PHASES TIMELINE
On Nov. 5, 2016, the SDF launched a comprehensive operation, dubbed “Wrath of the Euphrates,” with the ultimate aim of capturing Raqqa.
On Dec. 10, 2016, the SDF began the second phase of the operation from the village of Qadiriya in northern Raqqa and approached the Tabqa dam.
On Feb. 4, the SDF announced the launch of the third phase which ended after troops entered Deir al-Zor Province, east of Raqqa.
On March 25, the SDF launched the fourth phase, an offensive on the Tabqa dam after a group of SDF fighters were airdropped on March 21 by a US-led coalition aircraft near the town of Tabqa, some 60 kilometers (40 miles) west of Raqqa.
On May 10, the SDF liberated Tabqa town and the Euphrates Dam, Syria’s largest dam.
On June 6, the SDF launched the major operation to retake the city of Raqqa.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany