Operation Raqqa (Syria) Begins - November 7, 2016

Some more recent events in the area as reported by French Press. Some close battle scenes in there.

Here is a recent news bulletin from Raqqa, as well as a handful of twitter resources which are keeping the world up to date about the situation there.

This video was uploaded last week, coalition forces holding ground and exchanging fire with enemy fighters down range. I think an A-10 thunderbolt (warthog) made a cameo at the one minute mark. You don't see it, but it sure sounds like it. The soldiers seemed quite ecstatic to hear it overhead as well. Someone got #ed up, thats for sure.


IDP's fleeing the same day. Looks and sounds like this is happening nearby the video above.


More activity a few days later. Some rooftop and truck mounted units laying it down as they push forward. These guys have some damn good forward momentum, unlike the Saudis in Yemen, they are absolutely the suck!

British SDF volunteer gives an update on the #Raqqa operation & more during an interiew.

Updates from the 15th I missed. SAA and Russian coalition are trying to blitz through Palmyra in an effort to reach Raqqa with haste, while the Kurdish led NATO* Coalition is right around the corner and just getting underway on the outskirts. Looks like both sides may meet there by or before Easter to me. I wonder if Turkish/FSA coalition will jump into the fray??


#Raqqa: Video shows massive destruction in #Raqqa after airstrikes today.

Over the weekend saw some serious activity. With the Syrian/Russia coalition making hasty progress Eastward from Palmyra and Aleppo province, the NATO* and Kurdish coalition had to pick up the pace. US Marines made an air combat lift of SDF forces and US marines towards the Tabqa dam just west northwest of Raqqa. The dam is vulnerable to destruction or sabotage from either Daesh or coalition action, which would pretty much destroy Raqqa and lead to thousands of dead. Lets hope that does not happen.

US combat airlift marks deepening involvement in Syria
WASHINGTON – The United States is deepening its involvement in the war against the Islamic State group after an unprecedented American airlift of Arab and Kurdish fighters to the front lines in northern Syria, supported by the first use of U.S. attack helicopters and artillery in the country. In addition to using helicopters to ferry rebels into combat near the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River, the U.S. also flew two Apache gunships and fired Marine 155mm artillery.

French defense chief: Battle for Syria's Raqqa within days
"Today we can say that Raqqa is encircled and that the battle will begin in the coming days. It will be a very hard battle but it will be an essential battle."

How Tabqa Dam collapse could snatch ISIS's defeat from jaws of victory
the dam is under strain and ISIS are claiming that it is on the verge of collapsing, reporting that all the equipment is down. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights conflict monitor and the Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently activist group both reported on Sunday that ISIS is already ordering an evacuation of Raqqa. The United Nations warned in February that a breach in the dam would have fatal consequences for those downstream.

The UN report said that heavy rain and snowfall in late January coupled with ISIS's opening of three of the dam's turbines resulted in flooding. Also, US airstrikes damaged its entrance in January. ISIS are, predictably, blaming the airstrikes completely for the severe strain the dam is reportedly under at present.

“As per local experts, any further rise of the water level would submerge huge swaths of agricultural land along the river and could potentially damage the Tabqa Dam, which would have catastrophic humanitarian implications in all areas downstream,” the report said.

I will add videos in the following reply relevant to this weekends actions.

This occurred a few days prior to the airlift. HIMARS shelling towards Raqqa city.

Looks like coalition forces have just momentarily ago taken full control of the Tabqa airbase not far from the dam. This has removed one of the most important training sites of new recruits from the ISIS scourge.

BREAKING: Kurdish forces liberate Tabqa Airbase in Raqqa province
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (10:20 P.M.) – Moments ago, the Kurdish-led ‘Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) managed to wrestle full control over Tabqa Airbase after a 24-hour long battle with ISIS insurgents.

An Arab contingent of the SDF reported the airbase fully liberated yesterday; however, clashes persisted at Tabqa Airbase throughout Sunday before the Islamic State finally pulled the plug, withdrawing its forces northwards to Tabqa city.
In addition, the US-backed SDF also liberated the desert village of Abu Rashid, roughly one kilometer west of Tabqa Airbase.

Kurdish forces are now set to encircle Tabqa city with overwhelming US air support. Meanwhile, ISIS claims US sorties are on the verge of destroying the adjacent Tabqa Dam.

Keep up the good work, poster.

a reply to: mersaultdies

Its about to get really interesting actually. Raqqa has just been surrounded by the Kurdish/NATO coalition and have blocked the Syrian army from freeing its own people. It appears that Raqqa will be the dividing line for the borders of Syria and Kurdistan, which means Syria just lost access to most of the Euphrates.

The SDF themselves said the purpose of securing Tabqa was two-fold, cutoff ISIS's last land route out of Raqqa, and block the Syrian Army from being able to reach Raqqa for liberation.

Besides recapturing the dam, SDF said the U.S.-backed operation also aimed to block any advance by Syrian government forces from the west.

The Russians and Iranians should have helped the Syrian army pick up the pace because now they only have one option to join the melee in Raqqa if they are going to have better access to the Euphrates river. They have to do heavy lifting to Deir ez-Zor and clear the route from that highway to the small town across the river from Raqqa. They also would have to do a hail-mary Lightning blitz across the desert from Palmyra and north Hama.

Here is some more recent update of the Syria conflict for last two days.


I would just like to add, that the SDF only made these gains because US forces are now directly involved and embedded with their daily operations in the area. The Russians will have to make the same commitment if they are serious about maintaining Syrian borders integrity.

RT is the first International press to gain access to Tabqa dam. They released some of their coverage, explaining that ISIS still controls south part of the dam, and there is ongoing fighting as they report.

Some unfortunate breaking events. ISIS launched a surprise counter offensive across Raqqa that allegedly may have taken the lives of up to 30 SDF fighters.

Kurdish troops killed across Raqqa amid overwhelming ISIS counter-offensive
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (19:15 P.M.) – On Saturday morning, ISIS militants launched two consecutive attacks in the province of Raqqa, targeting positions held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Spearheaded by a group of suicide bombers, ISIS militants attacked three Kurdish-held villages on the Euphrates River in eastern Raqqa, near the town of Karamah. The assault led to the death of 35 SDF troops, according to Amaq Agency.

In a simultaneous hit-and-run attack, a seasoned ISIS unit drove headlong towards SDF forward positions on the perimeter of Tabqa Airbase, resulting in an hour-long firefight.

The clashes at Tabqa Airport saw an additional 30 SDF fighters killed while 4 SDF technicals and a bulldozer were destroyed. Amaq also claimed ISIS militants captured a machine-gun manned pickup truck before pulling back towards Raqqa city.

The SDF is yet to address the Amaq Agency claims. Nevertheless, ISIS was unable to keep hold of any points it raided across Raqqa earlier today.

More clashes from earlier today, which I believe is actually tomorrow on that side of the world???


There is a lot going on right now, but I only have so much time. Will do more later.

It's been awhile since I revisited here, so I am oing to cram this post.

Here a daesh barge, possibly delivering arms and/or fighters, is destroyed by air strike April 27.

The Pentagon promises more support for the SDF which is under continuous attack by the Turkish military on their road to Raqqa. Most of Tabqa city is now totally liberated under SDF control.

Published on May 4, 2017

May 2017. #US backed Forces have reportedly made Big Advances in the #Syrian town of #Tabqa which is the Gateway to #daesh #ISIS’s Self Declared capital, #Raqqa. The #Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (#SDF) are said to have taken control of nearly half the town. It comes at a time when the #Turkish President is Warning the US that it’s Support for Kurdish Groups in #Syria and #Iraq Must End. #Erdogan said #Turkey may take further Military Action against some Kurdish Fighters if Needed. Both the #USA and Turkey have Stepped Up their Presence along the Turkey - Syria Border with Troops and Armoured Vehicles moving through the area.

Heavy casualties as ISIS suicide bomber hits Kurdish convoy north of Raqqa

#Raqqa #Western_Countryside #Tabka:#DSF militias imposes a curfew in the city, the decision applied started from yesterday.

#EP_News #Raqqa #EP_Reporter:Electric current still outage with lack in drinking water concurrently with high prices of goods, bread 300SP.

A US general spoke about 3 weeks ago that come summer, they will be inside of Raqqa. I believe it is possible that one of the primary reasons Russia, Turkey, and Iran designated a cease fire in their de-escalation zones was an effort to redirect forces to other pockets and pursue more dire situations to get to Raqqa ASAP. Earlier this week the Syrian army regained some new ground in Der Ez-zoir .

Looks like the DOD has gotten approval to better arm the Syrian Defense Forces with heavier and better equipment in the run up to entering Raqqa. Obviously Turkey objects to the YPG Kurds getting more assistance, but the Coalition continues to insist it only provides support to the Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC). Yea, sure it does

Trump agrees to further arm Syrian Democratic Forces to seize Raqqa
“Yesterday [Monday], the president authorized the Department of Defense to equip Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces as necessary to ensure a clear victory over ISIS in Raqqa, Syria,” Dana White, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman, announced in a statement on Tuesday.
The US-led international anti-ISIS coalition has supported the SDF which is comprised of Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) and the Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC) fighters.
“The SDF, partnered with enabling support from U.S. and coalition forces, are the only force on the ground that can successfully seize Raqqa in the near future,“ read the statement.
Turkey has objected to the YPG’s participation in the Raqqa operation, and floated the idea of it backing the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to retake ISIS’s so-called capital.
“We are keenly aware of the security concerns of our coalition partner Turkey,” White added. “We want to reassure the people and government of Turkey that the US is committed to preventing additional security risks and protecting our NATO ally."
The Coalition has repeatedly said it only provides its weapons to the SAC.

The discussion on this deal is currently in its own thread: Trump, at odds with Erdogan, approves heavy weapons delivery to Syria's Kurds

a reply to: worldstarcountry
Well, well SDF forces are literally right outside the city now. SAA better hurry up and launch a blitz out of Der ez-zoir or they won't have much for their partition of Raqqa. From what I am reading, seems like they pulled some bait and switch tactics to open up a vulnerability and then rammed into it with all they had. Worked too by the sound of it. Will be seeking video of these skirmishes asap.

Kurdish forces just three kilometers from Raqqa as ISIS loses control of key highway
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (0:25 A.M.) – On Wednesday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) scored a massive advance in an ISIS-held region directly east of Raqqa.

Amid a blitz US-backed offensive codenamed operation Euphrates Wrath (stage four), Kurdish units broke through a weak point in the jihadist defensive line on the outskirts of the provincial capital and liberates several villages from the Islamic State.

Here are displaced civilians fleeing the rural townships outside Raqqa as the SDF close in and make contact with daesh forces. They don't seem to happy about it, and why should they? At least they will not be caught in the crossfire.

this is the best translation I could get from google
# Qdd and # Da'ash .... They are displacing the people of Al-Raqqa and the neighborhood and most of the areas under their control.

Preluded by joint US and Kurdish shelling on the highly fortified ‘Division 17th’ army base, the SDF launched a couple of diversionary attacks only to unleash the bulk of its seasoned fighters in a region little more than five kilometers east of Raqqa.

Over the past 48 hours, the YPG-led SDF have liberated the villages of Qaryat Abdallah, Dahr Al-Abdul, Badr, Annadah, Tall Zaidan and Thoul Nail.

At midnight, clashes even erupted in Raqqat as Samra, an ISIS-held town only three kilometers from Raqqa city. Notably, represents the last town on the main road leading to Raqqa city’s eastern neighborhoods.
Heavy clashes continue as we speak with both sides inflicting dozens of casualties on the other.

SDF combat footage against ISIS. North of Raqqa city.

translated by google
The correspondent of the Orient News reported the death of 25 people and dozens injured by a motorbike attack targeting the military headquarters of the movement of Ahrar al-Sham, while the war on terror continues to kill more Syrian civilians, both by the flight # International Alliance for raids on areas controlled by The state, or by the very organization that kills civilians by bombing, mines and booby-trapped vehicles

When #Daesh film in the perspective of having "rejoicing" images but in the end it does not proceed as expected. Translated from French by google.

Well the offensive to push into the city started a few days ago as reported by allsee4eye
So far there are reports of the coalition utilizing white phosphorus smoke screens to cover advancing forces. It may look quite dazzling and dramatic at night, but for the most part if nobody is outside of a structure where it is deployed nobody gets hurt. It doesn't destroy and demolish homes and buildings like a bomb. And once its on the surface burning away, its bright enough to know to avoid so one doesn't get burned.

originally posted by: worldstarcountry

Amaq, the daesh news agency does some reporting from a bombed out bridge.

Recent footage of the SDF forces in a recently liberated northern Raqqa neighborhood.

Al-Hurra news reports on coalition air strikes and forward troop movements.

Al-H

Video from Raqqa shows several ISIS fighters under SDF fire and A-10 giving fire support .

Video shows the Syrian army in recent operations within the Raqqa governate on the way to Raqqa city. Extremely heavy fighting.

Frane24 reports on recent SDF confrontations with soldiers firing from rooftops at the enemy.

Humongous ISIS convoy allowed to escape Raqqa to fight the Syrian Army instead

Zerohedge
Video footage obtained by Al-Masdar appears to show convoys of ISIS fighters fleeing the Syrian city of Raqqa untouched by the U.S. military, which is currently bombing that exact location. As Al-Masdar notes, despite having Kurdish and American drones hovering around the city of Raqqa, U.S. bombs are nowhere to be seen as hundreds of fighters pass safely. The release of this footage comes on the heels of accusations from both Russia and Iran that the U.S. is colluding with ISIS to allow the group’s safe passage into areas controlled by the Syrian government.

Come on CJTFOIR, where the hell are your successful bomb operations here posted on your twitter account??
June 12, 2017
June 11, 2017
June 10, 2017

Free Euphrates‏ @FreeEuphrates 21m21 minutes ago

#Raqqa
#Daesh asked all the patients in Al-Mwasat Hospital to leave immediately. Daesh seems to have another plan for the hospital.
#Syria