Multiethnic forces continue three-axis push into ISIS-held Raqqa city

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance have continue to make gains along three axes into ISIS-held Raqqa city, according to the operation's media, as a conflict monitor is claiming that US-led international coalition strikes killed “21 civilians” in the city on Friday.

The Wrath of the Euphrates campaign announced the advance of SDF forces into the Romaniyah quarter of northwestern Raqqa on Saturday. The area is about 500 meters west of a road that bisects East and West Raqqa, which connects to a major road connecting Raqqa to Deir ez-Zor. 

 

Also on Saturday afternoon there were clashes ongoing in Romaniyah between SDF and ISIS fighters, acording to the Kurdish ANHA news agency.

The SDF campaign, which is backed by the US-led international coalition against ISIS, announced on Friday that SDF alliance fighters had entered Sebehiye, a district just north of the Euphrates River and where the southern Tabqa-Raqqa road passes through.

In Jazrah on the southwestern outskirts of Raqqa, video on Friday showed what ABC News described as SDF forces capturing the town and throwing an ISIS flag from a building.

On the northern front, ANHA released footage of fighters controlling a grain silo reported to be used by ISIS between the Al-Assadiah military compound and the city limits.

The SDF posted video hoisting their flags over Hrkol citadel in west Raqqa on Thursday.

The Syrian Elite Forces, who are members of the SDF alliance, announced their forces entered the Al-Mashlab neighborhood in east Raqqa on Thursday. The UK-based conflict monitory Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the neighborhood was controlled on Saturday.

The monitoring group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (SBSS) has posted footage claiming the use of white phosphorus munitions in Raqqa. The rounds can be used for incendiary purposes if they ignite on the ground.

Coalition spokesperson Ryan Dillon would not confirm the use of white phosphorus but said in an email that rounds are “used for screening, obscuring, and marking in a way that fully considers the possible incidental effects on civilians and civilian structures.”

Coalition officials have said they expect the fight for Raqqa in Syria to be similar to that for Iraq's Mosul, where ISIS used weaponized and reconnaissance drones and snipers.

The Washington Post reported that Mary Wareham, the advocacy director at Human Rights Watch’s arms division, as saying in Mosul it appeared that the rounds exploded close to the ground in “an attempt to minimize the footprint of the effects.”

“White phosphorus should not be air burst over populated areas due to its indiscriminate effect but it’s not clear from available information that civilians are in the area,” Wareham added. “The [Iraqi security forces] is claiming that it used white phosphorus to protect civilians. As such, more information is needed to determine whether the white phosphorus use here is lawful.”

SBSS reported “21 civilians were killed by artillery shelling” on Friday as a result of the international coalition’s “90 airstrikes.”

"In Raqqa, the Syrian Democratic Forces prior to conducting the offensive  had encouraged civilians to depart and to leave Raqqa city and they could do so freely and safely,” Dillon said during a teleconference on Thursday.

The coalition has said it believes there are still 3,000 to 4,000 ISIS fighter in Syria and Iraq.

"As soon as they have started the offensive, they have since encouraged civilians that remain inside of Raqqa to remain in their homes, shelter in place and avoid ISIS fighting positions,” he added. “That is the current guidance by the Syrian Democratic Forces.”

The SDF announced the commencement of the military offensive for the self-declared capital of ISIS on Tuesday morning. 

The SDF is a multi-ethnic coalition of forces consisting of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Syriacs, Christians, tribal brigades, men and women. They are backed by the global anti-ISIS coalition who is providing air support, training, advice, equipment, arms, and some ground forces. 

An estimated 230,000 civilians are living in Raqqa, according to the UN. Retaking the key cities of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq will be major defeats for ISIS and its self-declared caliphate, though the coalition warned “there will still be a lot of hard fighting ahead.”

Beginning last November, the Kurdish-led SDF have closed in on Raqqa from the west, north, and east, coming within a few kilometres of the city.