World
Intensifying its battle against Islamic State, the U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian militias launched a fresh assault to drive IS fighters from territories near the city of Raqqa. The Syrian Democratic Force (S.D.F), which is dominated by the Kurdish Popular Protection Units fighters, has deployed 30,000 troops that will be aided by the U.S.-led coalition warplanes.
The new operation launched with the aim to “liberate northern Raqqa,” said S.D.F. Commander Rojda Felat on a social networking platform, writes the BBC.
About 3,000 to 5,000 IS militants are stationed in Raqqa, where they have set up an “extensive network of tunnels” as a first line of defense. The jihadist group seized Raqqa in August 2013 and has since established its headquarters in the city.
The latest military operation comes after the U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Joseph L. Votel visited Syria and met with the commanders of the S.D.F., notes Reuters. Talal Silo, an S.D.F spokesman, said that the operation focuses on retaking parts of territory north of Raqqa, not the city itself.
Kurdish fighters believe that Arab militias should lead an attack on the predominantly Arab city of Raqqa, but the Arab groups say they need more time to carry out a full-scale attack to recapture the IS capital.
