ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advanced towards Raqqa on multiple fronts on Monday, the campaign stated on its Facebook page, while the US-led coalition confirmed their continued support for the Kurdish-led forces who have “proven their ability in battle.”
The SDF continued to advance amid “violent clashes” with ISIS militants northeast of Raqqa. Three days into the second stage of the offensive to retake ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria, the SDF reported they had killed 18 militants, advanced tens of kilometres, seized “large quantities of arms and ammunition and destroyed a car bomb before reaching its target.”
They have been supported by the US-led global anti-ISIS coalition with airstrikes, training, and advice since the operation began on November 5. Coalition warplanes have carried out more than 300 airstrikes in support of the military offensive, dubbed Wrath of Euphrates.
“During the initial phase of isolation efforts, our Syrian partners have proven their ability in battle, pushing ISIL back and destroying ISIL heavy weapons, vehicles, fortifications, IED facilities, VBIEDs, armored vehicles, technical vehicles, bridges, decoys, and caches,” reads a statement published Monday by the Combined Joint Taskforce.
The coalition is also providing “material support” to the Syrian Arab Coalition, an Arab component fighting under the flag of the diverse SDF.
The SDF’s success against ISIS comes as the Syrian Army lost control of Palmyra to the terrorist group, despite concerted Russian air power.
The SDF continued to advance amid “violent clashes” with ISIS militants northeast of Raqqa. Three days into the second stage of the offensive to retake ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria, the SDF reported they had killed 18 militants, advanced tens of kilometres, seized “large quantities of arms and ammunition and destroyed a car bomb before reaching its target.”
They have been supported by the US-led global anti-ISIS coalition with airstrikes, training, and advice since the operation began on November 5. Coalition warplanes have carried out more than 300 airstrikes in support of the military offensive, dubbed Wrath of Euphrates.
“During the initial phase of isolation efforts, our Syrian partners have proven their ability in battle, pushing ISIL back and destroying ISIL heavy weapons, vehicles, fortifications, IED facilities, VBIEDs, armored vehicles, technical vehicles, bridges, decoys, and caches,” reads a statement published Monday by the Combined Joint Taskforce.
The coalition is also providing “material support” to the Syrian Arab Coalition, an Arab component fighting under the flag of the diverse SDF.
In Raqqa, airstrikes have reportedly destroyed a water pipe, knocking out water supplies for much of the city, the activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported Monday. They tweeted that the streets of the city are empty after 20 civilians were killed in airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russian planes.
The SDF’s success against ISIS comes as the Syrian Army lost control of Palmyra to the terrorist group, despite concerted Russian air power.
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