Jump to content

Battle of Raqqa (2017)

Coordinates: 35°57′00″N 39°01′00″E / 35.9500°N 39.0167°E / 35.9500; 39.0167
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Battle of Raqqa (2013).
Battle of Raqqa (2017)
Part of the American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war, the International military intervention against the Islamic State, the Raqqa campaign (2016–2017), the Rojava–Islamist conflict, and the Syrian civil war

Map of the SDF advances and control situations in Raqqa city, during the battle
  Islamic State control
  Syrian Democratic Forces control
Date6 June – 17 October 2017
(4 months, 1 week and 4 days)
Location
Raqqa, Raqqa Governorate, Syria
35°57′00″N 39°01′00″E / 35.9500°N 39.0167°E / 35.9500; 39.0167
Result

Decisive SDF and allies victory[11]

  • 80% of the city is destroyed[12]
Territorial
changes
  • The SDF captured 17th Division HQ on 8 June and completely encircled Raqqa on 24 June[13][14]
  • The SDF captured the city on 17 October[15]
    • Belligerents

    AANES

    International Freedom Battalion[a][5][6]
    Sinjar Resistance Units[7]
    Êzîdxan Women's Units[7]
    CJTF–OIR

    		Islamic State Islamic State
    Commanders and leaders
    Rojda Felat[16]
    (SDF general command member and YPJ commander)
    Clara Raqqa[17][18]
    (high-ranking YPJ commander)
    Adnan Abu Amjad †[19]
    (Manbij Military Council general commander)
    Muhammad Mustafa Ali "Abu Adel"[20]
    (Manbij Military Council and Northern Sun Battalion commander)
    Dilsuz Hashme[21]
    (Manbij Military Council senior commander)
    Ibrahim Semho[21]
    (Euphrates Liberation Brigade commander)
    Abu Imad[22][23]
    (Elite Forces commander)
    Ahmad Sultan[24]
    (Army of Revolutionaries commander-in-chief)
    Ali Çiçek[25]
    (Kurdish Front commander)
    Abu Raad Bakary[26]
    (Tribal Forces commander)
    Nubar Ozanyan †
    (IFB and TKP/ML commander)    		 Islamic State Abu Khattab al-Tunisi †[27]
    (ISIL high command member and commander of eastern Raqqa)
    Islamic State Abu Osama al-Tunisi †[28]
    (ISIL commander)
    Islamic State Abu Ubada al-Shami Surrendered[29]
    (Caliphate Cubs commander and chief recruiter)
    Islamic State Abu Osama[30]
    (Commander of ISIL holdouts by Oct. 2017)
    Units involved
    See anti-ISIL forces order of battle See ISIL order of battle
    Strength

    30,000–40,000 total[31]

    • 10,000–15,000 in the city (SOHR estimate)[32]
    		 3,000–5,000[31][33]
    Casualties and losses
    690 killed (per SOHR)[34]
    655 killed (per SDF)[35]
    1,000 killed (per ISIL)[36]    		 1,400 killed (per SOHR)[34]
    1,246+ killed,[36][37]
    715 captured (per SDF)[38][39]
    1,540 civilians killed (per SOHR)[34]
    1,600 civilians killed by Coalition airstrikes (per Airwars and Amnesty International)[40]
    1,854–1,873 civilians killed (per local monitors)[41][42]
    Tens of thousands of civilians displaced[43][44]

    The battle of Raqqa (2017), also known as the second battle of Raqqa, was the fifth and final phase of the Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State (ISIL) with an aim to seize the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of ISIL since 2014. The battle began on 6 June 2017, and was supported by airstrikes and ground troops from the US-led coalition.[45] The operation was named the "Great Battle" by the SDF.[46] It concluded on 17 October 2017, with the SDF fully capturing the city of Raqqa.

    The battle ran concurrently with the lifting of the Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017) as well as the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017), which started seven months earlier, as part of an effort by the CJTF–OIR and its allies to strip ISIL of its regional centers of power and to dismantle it as a state.[47]

    Similarly to the other battles fought against ISIL, the battle for Raqqa was marked by grueling urban combat,[48][49][50][51] with fighting both on the surface level, and in tunnels below that ISIL militants moved through.[52] One U.S. commander described it as some of the most intense urban fighting since the Second World War.[51] Out of a pre-war population of 300,000 some 270,000 people were said to have fled Raqqa.[53] Around 80% of the city was destroyed by the battle.[12]

    Background

    [edit]
    Main articles: Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) and Battle of Tabqa

    In 2015, ISIL began to fortify the city and its surrounding areas with bunkers and a network of tunnels.[54]

    By June 2017, Raqqa remained the only major Syrian city fully under ISIL control and was, therefore, its effective center of operations. With its large number of foreign fighters, Raqqa was a planning center for terrorist attacks against European cities.[55] The Raqqa campaign was launched by the SDF on 6 November 2016 in an effort to capture the city, and it had resulted in the SDF capturing a large amount of territory in the Raqqa Governorate from ISIL, including the city of al-Thawrah, and the infrastructure at Tabqa Dam and Baath Dam.

    As many as 500 US special forces operated on the ground in northern Syria in support of the Raqqa campaign. The US and other coalition members supplied heavy weapons, intelligence collection, communications support and other assistance to the SDF as part of their intervention in the conflict.[55] The battle began in the wake of a tumultuous period for the coalition, as internal pressures had been elevated by the Qatar diplomatic crisis, which had seen diplomatic relations between Qatar and other coalition members severed, and was publicly supported by President Donald Trump.[56][57]

    Local residents stated that many ISIL militants had already abandoned the city and traveled to Deir ez-Zor in anticipation of the impending attack on their capital. ISIL assaulted the regime's enclave in Deir ez-Zor, which at the time was split between ISIL and the Syrian government,[56] launching a series of strong attacks against the Syrian Army from June to August.[58]

    It was reported by AFP that in a US airstrike, 21 civilians were killed while attempting to flee Raqqa by dinghy on the Euphrates River. The event was also reported by Al Jazeera, but with uncertainty as to who carried out the bombing.[59][60][61][62][63]

    Timeline of the battle

    [edit]

    Entering Raqqa

    [edit]
    An SDF MRAP and pickup truck in Raqqa

    The United States Air Force conducted heavy airstrikes on Raqqa the day before the battle.[64] The battle was officially launched by the SDF in the dawn of 6 June 2017. The offensive came from Raqqa's north, east, and west. Supported by US airstrikes, the SDF attacked the former base of the 17th Division north of Raqqa and the Mashlab district in the southeastern part of the city.[45] By the end of the day, the SDF captured more than half of Mashlab district and also attacked the Andalus district in the northwest.[16] The SDF also captured the village of al-Jazra.[65]

    On 7 June, the SDF captured a ruined fortress on the edge of the city, and a US coalition official said the attack was set to accelerate.[66] On the same day, the SDF captured the Tell Harqal district of the city.[67]

    Brett H. McGurk, the special envoy with responsibility over the US-led military coalition, stated that the fighting in the city would be accelerated by the failures of ISIL in the Battle of Mosul, and stated that the forces were prepared for a "difficult and very long-term battle".[68]

    The SDF entered the former 17th Division base and the nearby sugar plant on 8 June,[69] but retreated due to heavy casualties.[70]

    The following night, Coalition airplanes heavily struck the city, killing 23 civilians. At the same time the SDF, supported by US special forces, were close to capturing the entire al-Mashlab neighborhood.[71] Later that day, the SDF entered Sabahiyah neighborhood from the west[72] and captured the remaining parts of the al-Mashlab neighborhood within hours.[73][74][75]

    On 10 June, the SDF entered the Roman suburb and were locked "in fierce fighting", while they were reinforcing the western half of Al-Sabahiya.[75] An international coalition spokesperson stated that they had destroyed numerous targets in Raqqa between 7–9 June; a minefield, eleven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIL headquarters, two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and an ISIL-held building.[76] At the end of the day, the SDF took control over the suburb of Harqaliya.[77] During the battle, US forces used white phosphorus munitions in the city several times, per ISIL video footage and statements, the Syrian foreign ministry, and human rights organizations. A spokesman for the US military did not confirm or deny the statements,[78] the US later confirmed it was using white phosphorus "for screening, obscuring, and marking in a way that fully considers the possible incidental effects on civilians and civilian structures".[79]

    SDF fighters walk through a destroyed area in the suburbs of Raqqa.

    By 11 June, 79 civilians reportedly had been killed.[80] The SDF captured "wide parts" of the Roman suburb and advanced into al-Sinaa neighborhood and al-Hal Market near the northern banks of the Euphrates River.[81] ISIL fighters attacked the sugar plant that the SDF had captured three days earlier in the northern part of the city.[82]

    On 12 June, the SDF began the process of capturing al-Sinaa and al-Hattin neighborhoods, along with the al-Sinaa industrial zone.[83] The SDF captured Sahil village southwest of Raqqa after clashes between the SDF and ISIL broke out and lasted until the next morning.[84]

    On 14 June, the SDF entered the al-Berid neighborhood in the western part of Raqqa, following intense fighting in which an ISIL suicide bomber was killed.[85]

    On 15 June, the SDF captured the al-Sinaa neighborhood and entered the Batani neighborhood.[86] Several CJTF–OIR troops were injured by a VBIED planted by ISIL in al-Sinaa neighborhood.[87]

    On 18 June, the SDF captured Kasrat Sheyh Juma village, to the south of Raqqa.[88] SDF forces also captured Batani neighborhood in the east.[89][90]

    Encirclement of Raqqa

    [edit]

    On 19 June, ISIL counter-attacked at the old city walls and managed to encircle a group of SDF fighters, among them members of the Elite Forces (SEF).[91] Other Elite Forces then attempted to break the encirclement, shooting down an ISIL bombing drone,[92] and breaking through to their fifteen besieged fighters at the Bab Baghdad gate of the old city. In the course of this operation, the SEF lost its first member in the battle for Raqqa and its fourth in the Raqqa campaign.[93] On the next day, the SDF, supported by especially heavy airstrikes, continued to advance in northwestern Raqqa amid "desperate" attempts from ISIL to stop their progress.[94] An ISIL counter-attack on the Batani district was repelled.[95] On 23 June, the SDF began an assault on the Qadisiya district, which led to fierce fighting in the area.[96] On the next day, the SDF completely encircled and besieged Raqqa city, trapping about 4,000 ISIL militants.[97]

    The United States Marine Corps provides fire support to the SDF during the battle.

    By 25 June, the SDF had captured most of the western Qadisiya district, whereupon ISIL launched a major counter-attack, leading to extremely heavy fighting.[98] On the following day, the SDF finally captured all of Qadisiya, making it the sixth district in the city under SDF control.[96][99] In response, ISIL launched multiple counter-attacks in the city[100] and on the Euphrates' southern bank, though these failed. By the end of the day, the SDF had also taken control of al-Farkha village to Raqqa's southwest.[101] CJTF–OIR spokesman Ryan Dillon said that the resistance of ISIL increased as the SDF further advanced into the city.[102]

    On 27 June, the SDF launched an attack against the old city, which was repelled by ISIL, though they succeeded in capturing the village of al-Ghota south of Raqqa.[103][104]

    On 28 June, the SDF clashed with ISIL militants near a kindergarten in Ar-Ruda neighborhood in eastern Raqqa, killing eight ISIL fighters.[105] The SDF also entered al-Nahda neighborhood in western Raqqa where they clashed heavily with ISIL militants, which resulted in 19 ISIL fighters being killed.[106] In course of the next two days, the SDF cut off all remaining escape routes for ISIL from Raqqa.[107][108] Clashes between the SDF and ISIL militants also began in al-Yarmouk and Huteen neighborhoods in western Raqqa,[109] while the SDF captured another village south of the city.[110] Nevertheless, a major ISIL counter-attack on 30 June, spearheaded by numerous VBIEDs, retook the al-Sinaa neighborhood[111][112] after 350 SDF fighters who were part of an unidentified Free Syrian Army (FSA) unit abandoned their posts and fled.[22]

    SDF advance into the old city

    [edit]
    SDF fighters in a largely destroyed part of Raqqa's downtown

    During 1–2 July, SDF fighters cleared the al-Hal market in eastern Raqqa of ISIL militants, while the SDF continued to advance in other neighborhoods of the city with the help of heavy CJTF–OIR airstrikes. Ratla, a village southeast of the city also fell to the SDF.[113][114] The SDF entered the Hashim Bin al-Melek neighborhood in southern Raqqa and the al-Yarmouk neighborhood in the west on 3 July.[115][116] In the night of 3–4 July, a CJTF–OIR precision airstrike destroyed a 25-meter-long section of the medieval wall surrounding Raqqa's old city. This was done so that the SDF could finally enter the heavily fortified old city, while at the same time preserving most of the wall. The SDF advanced into the old city, capturing the Palace of the Maidens, albeit encountering heavy resistance. Meanwhile, the US-backed forces continued to make progress in other parts of Raqqa, reportedly capturing half of the Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik neighborhood,[117][118][119] while a major assault by the Elite Forces managed to retake the al-Sinaa neighborhood from ISIL.[120] Some less disciplined Elite Forces units, however, were demoralized by the heavy fighting and retreated from the city, against the orders of the SDF command, and their own superiors and comrades.[22][b] Nevertheless, the other Elite Forces units remained at the frontlines.[121]

    Heavy fighting in the old city continued through the next two days, and the SDF advances were slow despite heavy airstrikes in their support. Intense ISIL counter-attacks inside Raqqa and south of the city at Ratla were mostly repelled, though ISIS militants managed to retake a part of the al-Hal market. Especially intense clashes also took place in the western city, mostly for the al-Bareed neighborhood, as both sides launched repeated attacks in attempts to gain territory.[121][122][123] By 6 July, pro-SDF media stated that the Coalition forces were making progress in the west and that the ISIL defenses there showed signs of breaking.[124] The international coalition also sent further weapons, supplies, and reinforcements to Raqqa. Meanwhile, ISIL put up a bounty of approximately US$4,000 for every US soldier or foreign SDF fighter killed.[125] Over the next days, the fierce fighting in Raqqa continued, with the SDF capturing the Harun al-Rashid Castle in the old city,[126] and the al-Mazarie Square in the west.[127] By 10 July, the battle in Raqqa was described as increasingly "desperate house-to-house fight" without frontlines, as ISIL fighters holed up in small pockets of resistance that proved to be only extremely difficult to clear out for the often not adequately armed SDF fighters. ISIL suicide attacks also hampered the advance of the Coalition forces.[128]

    Female Yazidi fighters of the YJÊ also participated in the battle for Raqqa. Yazidis were massacred or enslaved by ISIL, and the YJÊ aimed to liberate Yazidi slaves who still lived in the city, while taking revenge on ISIL.[129]

    The SDF progress was also reportedly hindered by disputes within the SDF[128] and the distrust of the locals toward the anti-ISIL Coalition. Due to ISIL propaganda and long-standing distrust between the ethnic groups in Syria, many of Raqqa's Arabs are wary of the Kurdish forces within the SDF.[130] On 8 July, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the Arab Elite Forces had withdrawn from Raqqa as result of disputes within the SDF, and their sometimes inferior battlefield performance;[130][131] the SDF, however, denied this statement as baseless rumors and said that the Elite Forces were still involved in the operation.[132] One Elite Forces' commander, Abu Saleh, later confirmed that at least the unit of around 1,000 fighters that he led had withdrawn from Raqqa;[133] nevertheless, there were still reports that at least some of the Elite Forces still continued to be active in Raqqa.[134] The reports of the Elite Forces' reported retreat furthered the distrust of the local population toward the SDF.[130] There were also statements that members of the Manbij Military Council were looting houses in the city.[135] Whereas progress in Raqqa city during this time proved slow, the SDF made some progress south of the Euphrates on 10 and 11 July, capturing two villages,[136][137] including al-Ukeirshi, which had served as major military base for ISIL.[138]

    These are days of trials. The greatest thing you can present to God is to sell yourself to him cheaply.

    Statement of an ISIL fighter in Raqqa to his comrades. The ISIL militants in Raqqa were considered to fight extremely tenaciously, repeatedly launching "vicious" counter-attacks and holding out amid massive bombardments.[139]

    Over the next four days, the SDF made some major advances, securing the al-Batani, Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, al-Bareed and al-Qasyeh neighborhoods,[140] and about 50% of the old city;[141] after heavy counter-attacks, however, the SDF had to abandon some of its newly captured territory in the old city and the aforementioned neighborhoods.[140] Meanwhile, CJTF–OIR chief commander Stephen J. Townsend said that the only options for the ISIL fighters in Raqqa were to "surrender or be killed".[142]

    Between 15 and 18 July, fighting mostly concentrated on the western neighborhoods of al-Tayyar and Yarmouk as well as the Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik neighborhood in the southeast, as both sides tried to gain/regain ground. Even though the SDF eventually prevailed in the former two, the coalition made little to no progress in the eastern and old city, while casualties among both the SDF as well as the civilian population had risen drastically. As result, the SDF began to shift its strategy in the east and the old city, advancing slower and with more caution, in order to minimize further losses and to avoid the destruction of historic monuments, such as the Abbasid al-Atiq Mosque.[143][144] In course of the fighting, a major ISIL headquarters and weapons storage center was destroyed.[145] On 20 July, ISIL launched intense counter-attacks against all the areas where the SDF had progressed over the previous several days.[146]

    Capture of the city's south and center

    [edit]
    Foreign volunteers of the anarchist IRPGF, a unit of the International Freedom Battalion, in Raqqa

    Despite these continued counter-attacks,[147] the SDF further advanced against ISIL during the following four days. By 24 July, the coalition had fully secured the neighborhoods al-Romaniya, Hutteen, Qadisiyah, Yarmouk, Mashlab, al-Batani and al-Sinaa, while having taken control of parts of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, al-Rawda, al-Rumaila, al-Muazzafin, al-Hamra and Nazlat Shehada, and the old city. As a result, around 41% of Raqqa was held by the SDF.[148][149] By this time, the center of fighting was in the southern city, namely for the Nazlat Shehada, Hisham bin Abdul Malik and al-Kournish neighborhoods.[149][150] By 28 July, the SDF had made further important advances in the western and southern city and increased their territorial control to 50% of Raqqa.[151][152] While combat in the central and southern city continued, the SDF advanced into the al-Nahdah neighborhood in Raqqa's northeast on 30 July.[153][154]

    Between 1 and 3 August, the SDF captured most of the Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik and Nazlat Shehada neighborhoods and other important locations, thus largely securing southern Raqqa. ISIL was also pushed back in the old city, losing control of the Uwais al-Qarni Mosque and the 'Ammar Ben Yasser shrine, and in Raqqa's north, where the SDF conquered around 10 km2 (four square miles) of territory.[155][156][157] As result of their shrinking territory and constant bombardments, both the 2,000 militants, as well as tens of thousands of civilians still trapped in the ISIL-held areas, increasingly suffered from shortages of food, medicines and drinking water, causing ISIL to alleviate the situation by granting 3,000 civilians safe passage from their territory to SDF-held neighborhoods.[158] Nevertheless, ISIL's deteriorating prospects in Raqqa were beginning to seriously undermine the morale of the group's Syrian fighters, many of which wanted to escape or surrender. These native militants remained, however, due to fear of ISIL's foreign mujahideen. These foreigners wanted to make their last stand at Raqqa, and are ready to kill all who want to surrender.[159] The hardcore ISIL elements in Raqqa also reportedly had chemical weapons in their possession, which they would use when their position became completely untenable, regardless of possible civilian casualties.[160]

    Much of Raqqa suffered extensive damage during the battle,[161] while an activist in the ISIL-held neighborhoods said that the situation for the besieged populace was "beyond catastrophic, I can't describe the situation as anything besides hellish. People are just waiting for their turn to die."[162]

    By 6 August, the SDF controlled around 55% of Raqqa.[134] Over the next days, the SDF, bolstered by new reinforcements,[163] evicted ISIL fully from the southern city. By 10 August the western and eastern fronts of the SDF linked up in the south and thereby cut off the access to the Euphrates from the ISIL militants.[164][165] The remaining ISIL forces responded to these advances by launching major counter-attacks between 12 and 14 August in an attempt to regain ground in the northeastern and southern city; although the assaults were reportedly unsuccessful, both sides suffered numerous casualties.[166][167][168]

    Despite this, the SDF managed to capture more territory in the old city, bringing about 57% of Raqqa under their control by 14 August.[169] In course of the next days, the SDF cleared out the remaining ISIL holdouts in the southern city,[170] and by 20 August had begun to push into the neighborhoods north of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik and Nazlat Shehada.[171] Between 22 and 29 August, the SDF further advanced in Raqqa's old city, capturing several symbolic or strategic locations such as the old clock tower (a site for ISIL's public executions). Nevertheless, ISIL continued to fight fiercely for the 10% of the old city it still controlled, as well as other neighborhoods in the city center in which the militants still held territory: Al-Moror, al-Nahda, al-Mansour, and most importantly al-Thaknah (the location of ISIL's former government buildings).[172][173][174][175] In the course of this heavy close-quarter fighting, Adnan Abu Amjad, leader of the Manbij Military Council and high-ranking SDF commander, was killed in combat.[176]

    SDF fighters with a Humvee in central Raqqa

    By 1 September, the SDF had secured almost all of the old city,[177][178][179] though some ISIL holdouts continued to resist in the al-Busariyah alley and the Grand Mosque. These ISIL forces were finally destroyed with the support of US Boeing AH-64 Apaches on 2 and 3 September, bringing all of the old city under SDF control. The coalition forces also advanced into the Al-Morour[180][181] and Daraiya neighborhoods, which were captured by 6 September.[182][183] By 9 September, ISIL control over Raqqa had been reduced to about 36%, most importantly the northern neighborhoods of Al-Andalus, Shamal Sekket al-Qitar, al-Huriyah, Teshreen, and al-Tawaso'eiyah. Besides these, ISIL pockets of resistance were reported by SOHR in nine mostly SDF-held neighborhoods.[184]

    Battle for the north and the last holdouts

    [edit]
    Flags of the SDF, YPG and YPJ in the centre of Raqqa city after its complete capture by the SDF

    On 14 September, the SDF fully secured al-Thaknah, "one of [Raqqa's] most important neighborhoods", after a 24-hour-long battle. With al-Thaknah captured, the SDF controlled about 70% of Raqqa.[185] By this time, the situation of the remaining 1,200 ISIL fighters in the city had become desperate, as they lacked fresh water, food, ammunition, and weaponry; some of them were even sent foraging into SDF-held territories in order to get direly needed supplies. Nevertheless, many ISIL militants refused to surrender and vow to continue defending Raqqa and putting up severe resistance and instead launched suicide attacks on coalition forces when their positions became untenable. The remaining ISIL resistance was centered on Raqqa's north as well as enclaves in the south-west and central city.[186] Activists criticised that the anti-ISIL coalition did little to avoid civilian casualties at this stage. Though it was said that ISIL used the civilians as human shields, the activists also said that neither the SDF nor CJTF–OIR took any "extraordinary measures to assist civilians who [were] trying to flee the city", with the United States Air Force instead indiscriminately bombing all who attempted to escape by boat or car.[187]

    Such airstrikes did, however, also decisively weaken ISIL's defenses at its last strongholds. Heavy airstrikes by the US Air Force on 20 September caused ISIL to retreat from five northern neighborhoods into the central city, which the militants deemed more secure. Most of northern Raqqa was subsequently occupied by the SDF without much resistance.[188] By 22 September, it initially was reported that ISIL had lost all of its territory in Raqqa,[14][188][189] but the SDF later said that the militants still controlled or at least had a presence in 20–25% of the city.[190]

    We won't leave until the city turns into another Kobane. We'll only leave Raqqa when the last of us dies.

    —Abu Muath Al Tunisi, ISIL fighter. According to the SDF, foreign ISIL mujahideen wanted to make their last stand at Raqqa, while ensuring that most of the city is destroyed during the battle. This would benefit their propaganda, as they could blame "western bombs [for destroying] an ancient Arab city."[191]

    Over the next days, heavy fighting continued for areas in the northern, western, central and southwestern city in which ISIL still had a substantial presence. Progress proved slow against fierce ISIL resistance. These last ISIL forces, as in many cases small groups or even individual militants holed up in their hideouts and waited for the SDF to come for them while sniping at them. The SDF fighters, not well enough equipped for such tasks, often could not clear out these fortified and booby-trapped holdouts without risking disproportionate casualties. Thus, they had to call in airstrikes; "time and time again, entire buildings are taken to kill a single [ISIL] fighter".[191][192] ISIL also continued to launch counter-attacks. Its militants used their hidden tunnel networks to assault the SDF from behind[193] or disguised themselves as civilians[191] and even SDF members to infiltrate enemy positions. On 26 September, for example, dozens of ISIL militants with YPG insignias managed to enter SDF positions in the northeastern city, killing at least 28 coalition fighters before they were themselves overwhelmed.[190] The exact number of ISIL fighters who were still active in Raqqa at this point was disputed, with estimates ranging from around 400 (according to local SDF troops),[186][191] to 400–900 (United States Department of Defense estimate),[194] to 700 regular militants and 1,500 pro-ISIL militiamen (intelligence and information obtained from former ISIL members).[195] Of these forces, only the foreign mujahideen were expected to fight to the end.[191] Native Syrian Arab ISIL militants had instead fled the city by the hundreds, often disguised as civilians.[195]

    The fighting between advancing SDF units and ISIL holdouts was especially bitter at the al-Naim roundabout in Raqqa's center, which had been dubbed "the Circle of Hell",[191] and various fortified ISIL strongholds. Among these were the National Hospital, where ISIL had one of its headquarters and held hostages; a sports stadium, where the militants were storing weapons; and around grain silos in the north of the city.[193][194][196][197] On 15 October, close to 50 trucks, 13 buses and more than 100 ISIL vehicles evacuated around 4,000 people from Raqqa under an agreement with the SDF, including 250 ISIL fighters and 3,500 of their family members, along with weapons and ammunition.[198] Around 400 civilians were reportedly used as human shields by ISIL during the transportation.[199]

    After the ISIL convoy left Raqqa under the agreement on 15 October, the SDF announced the "final phase" of the battle, code-named the Battle of Martyr Adnan Abu Amjad,[200] to capture the remaining ISIL holdouts in 10% of the city.[201] On 16 October, the SDF reportedly destroyed the last ISIL forces in the al-Andalus and al-Matar neighborhoods,[202] and finally secured the al-Naim roundabout.[203]

    On 17 October, the SDF launched an attack overnight and captured the National Hospital and further advanced towards the ISIL-held stadium, the jihadists' last foothold in the city.[37] The stadium was later captured, marking the defeat of ISIL in Raqqa.[11]

    On 20 October, the SDF officially declared victory in Raqqa.[204]

    Aftermath

    [edit]

    Around 80% of Raqqa had been left "uninhabitable" after the battle, according to the UN.[12]

    According to Airwars, a team of independent journalists, by October 2017, at least 1,300 civilians likely died as a result of Coalition strikes (more than 3,200 such deaths have been reported in total). Overall, local monitors say at least 1,800 civilians were killed in the fighting."[41] In April 2019, a joint investigation by Amnesty International and Airwars reported that 1,600 civilians were killed by coalition strikes during the battle.[40][205]

    Cleaning and reconstructions

    [edit]
    Further information: Raqqa § Syrian Democratic Forces rule

    Efforts to clear the city of mines started in a controlled area, which have later killed and injured hundreds of civilians.[206] The US pledged minor assistance to rebuild the city.

    Mass graves

    [edit]

    In February 2019, 3,500 bodies were found in an ISIL mass grave in the al-Fukheikha agricultural suburb.[207] In March 2019, another ISIL mass grave was discovered with 300 buried bodies.[208] In July 2019, 200 corpses were found near Raqqa.[209]

    Official reactions

    [edit]
     United States
    The US Secretary of State's statement of 20 October 2017 said: "We congratulate the Syrian people and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including the Syrian Arab Coalition, on the liberation of Raqqa. The United States is proud to lead the 73-member Global Coalition that supported this effort, which has seen ISIS's self stated caliphate crumble across Iraq and Syria. Our work is far from over but the liberation of Raqqa is a critical milestone in the global fight against ISIS, and underscores the success of the ongoing international and Syrian effort to defeat these terrorists. [...] The Coalition will continue its relentless campaign to deny ISIS safe haven anywhere in the world, and sever its ability to recruit, move foreign terrorist fighters, transfer funds, and spread false propaganda over the internet and social media. We are confident that we will prevail and defeat this brutal terrorist organization."[210] On 24 October 2017, the US Department of State's spokesperson said: "[...] Where we are right now is a tremendous success over ISIS in Raqqa. This is still a very long road ahead of us. [...] So it's a tremendous success that finally, under this administration, Raqqa was taken back, and I don't want us to lose focus on the significance of that. That's not a US success necessarily, although we were certainly part of that. It's a Syrian success for the Syrian people, and frankly, it's a success for all peace-loving people who want to do away with ISIS and see ISIS taken out."[211]
     Russia
    Major-General Igor Konashenkov, chief spokesman for the Russian Defence Ministry, said: "Raqqa has inherited the fate of Dresden in 1945, wiped off the face of the Earth by Anglo-American bombardments." He also questioned the relative significance of Raqqa by pointing out the fact that prior to the war Deir ez-Zor had been a much bigger urban centre.[212][213][214]
     Syria
    At the end of October 2017, the government of Syria issued a statement that said: "Syria considers the claims of the United States and its so-called alliance about the liberation of Raqqa city from ISIS to be lies aiming to divert international public opinion from the crimes committed by this alliance in Raqqa province. [...] more than 90% of Raqqa city has been leveled due to the deliberate and barbaric bombardment of the city and the towns near it by the alliance, which also destroyed all services and infrastructures and forced tens of thousands of locals to leave the city and become refugees. [...] Syria still considers Raqqa to be an occupied city, and it can only be considered liberated when the Syrian Arab Army enters it."[215]

    See also

    [edit]

    Notes

    [edit]
    1. ^ Most leftist foreign volunteers fight as part of the YPG,[2] though some have also formed an independent unit, the Antifascist International Tabur,[3] or joined the International Freedom Battalion. The latter is a larger unit, mostly composed of Kurdish and Turkish communists.[4]
    2. ^ While they are simply said to be members of unspecified FSA units in the article, the retreating fighters can be identified in the photographs[22] as members of the Elite Forces due to their arm patches.[23]

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ "Great War for the liberation of Raqqa begins". Hawar News Agency. 6 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-06-09. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
    2. ^ Harp (2017), pp. 43–49.
    3. ^ Harp (2017), p. 49.
    4. ^ Sinan Deniz (13 November 2016). "'Raqqa's fall will bring the end of Erdoğan'". ANF News. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
    5. ^ Moore, Jack (25 July 2017). "First LGBT Unit Created to Fight Isis in Syria. Its Name? The Queer Insurrection". Newsweek. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
    6. ^ Kentish, Ben (25 July 2017). "'The Queer Insurrection': Coalition forces fighting Isis in Syria form first LGBT unit". The Independent. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
    7. ^ a b "Şengal's YJŞ: heading for al-Raqqa to liberate Yazidi women". Hawar News Agency. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
    8. ^ Sirwan Kajjo (21 December 2016). "Kurdish-Arab Forces in Syria Make Gains in Raqqa Province". Voice of America.
    9. ^ Steven Swinford (25 December 2016). "Operation Raqqa: British RAF pilots to switch bombing raids to 'the heart' of Isil". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
    10. ^ Volkmar Kabisch; Reiko Pinkert (29 March 2017). "Zivile Opfer in Syrien. Bundeswehr in verheerenden Luftschlag involviert" (in German). Tagesschau (Germany). Retrieved 29 March 2017.
    11. ^ a b "Daesh completely cleared from Syria's Raqqa: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". Daily Star. 17 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
    12. ^ a b c "US-backed forces succeed in making Raqqa 80 percent "uninhabitable"". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2017-10-20. Archived from the original on 2019-10-20. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
    13. ^ Islamic State faces endgame in Raqqa stronghold, say SDF forces Middle East Eye, September 20, 2017
    14. ^ a b "Al-Raqqah city is free of ISIS and declaration of control bound to the sweep's end". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    15. ^ "U.S.-backed Syrian forces recapture Raqqa from Islamic State group". PBS NewsHour. 17 October 2017.
    16. ^ a b "US-backed fighters move into ISIS stronghold Raqqa for the first time". Agence France-Presse. 6 June 2017.
    17. ^ "The commander Clara: 4 stages achieved their aims". Hawar News Agency. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-10-09. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
    18. ^ Mahmoud Bali (12 June 1017). "Female Commander Leads Anti-IS Fighters in Hometown Raqqa". Voice of America.
    19. ^ "SDF: Manbij commander Adnan killed in Raqqa offensive". Rudaw Media Network. 30 August 2017.
    20. ^ Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim; Maria Nelson (6 June 2017). "Syrian Democratic Forces break through Raqqa city limits for first time, capture neighborhoods". Syria Direct. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
    21. ^ a b Aris Roussinos (19 September 2017). "Inside The Fight To Retake Raqqa From ISIS".
    22. ^ a b c d Molly Hennessy-Fiske (4 July 2017). "A schism among Syrian rebel fighters threatens to slow down the battle against Islamic State". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    23. ^ a b "The Elite Teams are joining the Wrath of Euphrates". Hawar News Agency. 7 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-15. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    24. ^ "Video: SDF Official Stating to Qasioun the Latest Military Updates in Raqqa". Qasioun News Agency. 12 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
    25. ^ "ISIS will have no power left after Raqqa: Commander". Firat News Agency. 27 September 2017.
    26. ^ "Tribal forces: Our goal is liberation tenderness and all Syrian territory from terrorism". Hawar News Agency. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-06-24. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
    27. ^ Dilber Issa (12 June 2017). "Top ISIS military official killed by SDF fire in Raqqa city". ARA News. Archived from the original on 2017-06-17. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
    28. ^ "Syria: A military commander of Daech Abu Osama Al-Tunisi was killed recently in an airstrike in Raqqa". LiveuaMap. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
    29. ^ "IS Group's Children recruiting officer surrenders to SDF militias". Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 20 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
    30. ^ Martin Chulov (6 October 2017). "The fall of Raqqa: hunting the last jihadists in Isis's capital of cruelty". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
    31. ^ a b Micallef, Joseph V. (31 October 2017). "Sitrep Raqqa: The Geopolitics of Eastern Syria". military.com.
    32. ^ "The Battle to Oust ISIS From Raqqa Has Stalled". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    33. ^ Patrick Cockburn (6 June 2017). "Battle to liberate Raqqa from Isis 'will be over quicker than Mosul'". The Independent.
    34. ^ a b c "مدينة الرقة في عام على طرد التنظيم منها….خراب لم يجرِ إعادة إعماره…فلتان أمني… وجثث منتشلة رفعت إلى 3650 مدني ومقاتل استشهدوا وقضوا وقتلوا".
    35. ^ "SDF statement on the Raqqa victory and the future of the city". YPG. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
    36. ^ a b "1,200 ISIS fighters neutralized in Raqqa, 65% of city seized by Kurdish forces". Al-Masdar News. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
    37. ^ a b "Islamic State in Raqqa mounts last stand around city stadium". Reuters. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
    38. ^ Davison, John. "Militants trapped in Raqqa center but Syrian Kurd commander sees long battle". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
    39. ^ "Isis could go underground with bunkers full of weapons if it is defeated in Syria and Iraq". Independent.co.uk. 11 October 2017.
    40. ^ a b "Groups say airstrikes by US-led coalition killed 1,600 civilians in Raqqa". MilitaryTimes. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
    41. ^ a b "More than 1,800 civilians killed overall in defeat of ISIS at Raqqa, say monitors". Airwars. October 19, 2017.
    42. ^ "U.S.-led airstrikes are killing hundreds of civilians in the battle for ISIS-held Raqqa, groups say". The Washington Post. 23 August 2017.
    43. ^ "Civilians trapped as IS mounts last stand in Syria's Raqqa". 22 September 2017.
    44. ^ "Hundreds flee battles in Raqqa". Al Monitor.
    45. ^ a b "U.S.-backed Syrian force starts battle to capture Raqqa from Islamic State". Reuters. 6 June 2017.
    46. ^ "SDF enter east Raqqa in 'Great Battle' for ISIS stronghold". Rudaw. 6 June 2017.
    47. ^ "Raqqa: Syrian Kurdish-led forces launch offensive on IS 'capital'". BBC News. 6 June 2017.
    48. ^ Dettmer, Jamie (2017-07-10). "Battle to Retake Raqqa a Desperate House-to-House Fight". VOA. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
    49. ^ Malsin, Jared. "Raqqa Is in Ruins, and ISIS in Retreat". TIME.com. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
    50. ^ Ignatius, David (2018-02-14). "The lessons the United States should learn from Raqqa". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
    51. ^ a b "Civilian Casualties: Lessons from the Battle for Raqqa". www.rand.org. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
    52. ^ Postings, Robert (2018-07-09). "A Guide to the Islamic State's Way of Urban Warfare". Modern War Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
    53. ^ Raqqa: Isis 'capital' liberated by US-backed forces - but civilians face months of hardship with city left devastated Archived 9 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Independent, 17 October 2017.
    54. ^ "IS begins to fortify Raqqa ahead of international strikes on Syria". News.com.au. Retrieved 2017-06-19.[permanent dead link]
    55. ^ a b Lister, Tim (6 June 2017). "Battle for Raqqa: 7 things you need to know". CNN. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
    56. ^ a b Barnard, Anne (6 June 2017). "U.S.-Backed Forces Begin Assault on Raqqa, ISIS Stronghold in Syria". The New York Times.
    57. ^ Landler, Mark (6 June 2017). "Trump Takes Credit for Saudi Move Against Qatar, a U.S. Military Partner". The New York Times.
    58. ^ Tomson, Chris (June 11, 2017). "In pictures: ISIS throws all its military power against the Syrian Army in besieged Deir Ezzor". Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
    59. ^ "Beirut (AFP) - 06/05/2017 - 22:50" (Top site flash "US-led strike kills 21 civilians fleeing Syria's Raqa"), afp.com, 5 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017. Archived on the Internet Archive.
    60. ^ "Syrie : 21 civils fuyant Raqa tués dans une frappe de la coalition" Archived 2017-06-06 at the Wayback Machine (in French), afp.com, 5 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
    61. ^ Jack Moore. "U.S.-Led Coalition Airstrike Kills 21 Civilians as Forces Breach ISIS Capital Raqqa, Monitors Say", newsweek.com, 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
    62. ^ "SDF launch major offensive to capture ISIL-held Raqqa", aljazeera.com, June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
    63. ^ Tidningarnas Telegrambyrå. "USA-ledd flygräd krävde 20 civila liv" (in Swedish), Svenska Dagbladet, 5 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017. (N.b. the headline reads "20 civilians" while the article reads "at least 21 civilians".)
    64. ^ "The Latest: US-backed Syrian force attacks IS-held Raqqa". The Associated Press
    65. ^ "Explosives found in al-Jazra liberated village". Hawar News Agency.[dead link]
    66. ^ Barrington, Lisa. "U.S.-backed forces seize Raqqa ruins; U.N. sees 'dire' situation". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017.
    67. ^ Hozan Mamo (8 June 2017). "SDF captures first neighbourhood in Raqqa city after launch of major anti-ISIS operation". ARA News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017.
    68. ^ "Raqqa fight 'will accelerate as IS loses grip on Mosul'". Irish Independent.
    69. ^ News, ANF. "SDF takes control of the 17th Division Base north of Raqqa". ANF News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
    70. ^ "Repeated attempts by the "Euphrates Wrath" Operation Forces and the American forces to control the Division 17 and the sugar factory and preparations for an offensive on the second neighbourhood in Al-Raqqah city and advancement at its western outskirts". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
    71. ^ "International Coalition's warplanes kill an activist of the Syrian Observatory and 22 civilians in Al-Raqqah and the "Euphrates Wrath" Operation Forces control the first neighbourhood almost completely". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
    72. ^ "SDF fighter enter another neighborhood in al-Raqqa city". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-06-13. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
    73. ^ News, ANF. "SDF liberates Sabahiyah neighborhood west of Raqqa". ANF News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
    74. ^ "SDF liberates al-Raqqa's first neighborhood". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-06-10. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
    75. ^ a b "US-backed force pierces into IS-held Raqqa from west". The Daily Star Lebanon. Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
    76. ^ "Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve: June 10, 2017 Release # 20170610-01" (PDF). Operation Inherent Resolve.
    77. ^ "After repelling their attack in the Division 17, "Euphrates Wrath" Operation Forces enter the second neighborhood in Al-Raqqah and take control of half of it and attempt to break into the third neighborhood". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
    78. ^ "U.S.-led forces appear to be using white phosphorus in populated areas in Iraq and Syria". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
    79. ^ "US-led coalition used banned white phosphorus on civilians in Syria – Damascus to UN | Syria". www.un.int.
    80. ^ "More casualties raise the death toll to about 80 in the continued shelling on Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
    81. ^ "With 6 days of consecutive clashes… the Elite Forces enter the 2nd neighbourhood east of Al-Raqqah and SDF control large parts of the 2nd neighbourhood west of it". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
    82. ^ "داعش يشن 3 هجمات متزامنة في الرقة". 10 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-06-13. Retrieved 2017-06-12.
    83. ^ Ahmed, Cihan Shekh [@cihan_shekh] (11 June 2017). "قواتنا تتقدم في حي الصناعة من الجهة الشرقية وحي حطين من الجهة الغربية" (Tweet) (in Arabic) – via Twitter.
    84. ^ "SDF liberates Sahil village". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-06-16. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
    85. ^ "SDF fighters enter al-Berid neighborhood of Raqqa". ANF News. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
    86. ^ "Sinaa neighborhood east of Raqqa cleared of ISIS". ANF News.
    87. ^ Raqqa24 (2017-06-15). "Many US soldiers wounded due VBIED attack by #Daesh on their location in Sina'a neighborhood eastern side of #Raqqa. #R24". @24Raqqa. Retrieved 2017-06-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    88. ^ vergès, j-c [@melisaraimmo] (18 June 2017). "#WrathOfEuphrates violent clashes between #SDF Manbij MC and #ISIS around Kasrat Jumaa, southern Euphrates River, south #Raqqah city.SOHRpic.twitter.com/ngTK7hKVob" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    89. ^ "SDF liberates a neighborhood west of Raqqa from ISIS". ANF News.
    90. ^ "Kurdish-led forces capture new district in Raqqa city, kill scores of ISIS militants". ARA News. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017.
    91. ^ "After the slowdown of the grand battel of Al-Raqqah… ISIS follows the tunnel tactic and besieges a group of fighters of the "Euphrates Wrath" Operation". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
    92. ^ "Drone loaded with bombs downed in the sky of Al-Raqqah city and the "Islamic State" organization carries out a violent counter-attack at the walls of the old city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
    93. ^ "Syrian Elite Forces break the siege of their 15 fighters at Bab Baghdad at the outskirts of the old city and lose their fourth fighter in the "Euphrates Wrath" Operation". 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
    94. ^ "In the highest daily death toll since the start of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah… 45 dead from the "Islamic State" organization in the clashes and continued shelling in the city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
    95. ^ "Heavy fighting on three fronts of Raqqa". ANF News.
    96. ^ a b "Syrian Democratic Forces make new gains in anti-ISIS campaign, capture another district in Raqqa city". ARA News. 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
    97. ^ "ISIS fully encircled in Raqqa city after latest Kurdish advances". Al-Masdar News. 24 June 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
    98. ^ "Clashes in al-Qadisiyah neighborhood". Hawar News Agency. 25 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-06-28. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
    99. ^ Chris Tomson (26 June 2017). "ISIS concedes residential district while Kurdish forces cement siege of Raqqa city". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
    100. ^ "Violent clashes in Al-Raqqah city and the "Islamic State" organization spares no effort to regain control of what it lost". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
    101. ^ "Continued clashes at the southern banks of the Euphrates, south of Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
    102. ^ "ISIS resistance increasing in Raqqa: Coalition spokesman". ARA News. 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
    103. ^ "Al-Ghota village liberated south of al-Raqqa". Hawar News Agency. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-06-30. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
    104. ^ "SDF carry out a violent attack at the walls of the old city of Al-Raqqah and advance at the southern banks of the Euphrates River". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
    105. ^ "مقتل 8 مرتزقة بحي الروضة". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
    106. ^ "Raqqa operation: 19 ISIS members killed in al-Nahda neighborhood". ANF News.
    107. ^ "الرقة محاصرة من الجهات الأربع". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
    108. ^ "Isis's last escape route from Raqqa 'cut off'". The Independent. 29 June 2017.
    109. ^ "Another defense line of IS broken". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
    110. ^ "Al-Raqqa campaign: Kasrat Afan village liberated". Hawar News Agency. 29 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
    111. ^ "US-backed forces in new attack on ISIS in Syria's Raqqa". Zaman al-Wasl. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
    112. ^ Chris Tomson (1 July 2017). "Kurdish troops withdraw from east Raqqa suburb as ISIS launches fresh counter-offensive". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
    113. ^ "Souq al-Hal, strategic buildings liberated by SDF". Hawar News Agency. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
    114. ^ "A new front against ISIS in Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
    115. ^ "SDF enters 2 neighborhoods in al-Raqqa". Hawar News Agency. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
    116. ^ "SDF advance towards al-Raqqa center". Hawar News Agency. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
    117. ^ "SDF entered Old Al-Raqqa neighborhood". Hawar News Agency. 4 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
    118. ^ Jamie Crawford; Mohammed Tawfeeq; Tim Lister (4 July 2017). "Raqqa: US-backed forces breach Old City's wall". CNN. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
    119. ^ "US-backed forces breach wall in Syria ISIS stronghold Raqqa". Zaman al-Wasl. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
    120. ^ "Continued battles in areas in Al-Raqqah city as part of the Grand Battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    121. ^ a b "The "Euphrates Wrath" Operation Forces move 200 meters deeper into the Old City and 30 rebels killed within hours of attacks and clashes". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    122. ^ "Violent battles continue in Al-Raqqah city, ISIS carries out counter attacks and the "Euphrates Wrath" Operation Forces take control of more buildings". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    123. ^ "Al-Raqqa campaign: a road liberated, 72 mercenaries killed". Hawar News Agency. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-08. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    124. ^ "Footage from the IS-held neighborhoods in al-Raqqa". Hawar News Agency. 6 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-08. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    125. ^ "Massive military reinforcements from the Coalition arrive to the Syria Democratic Forces and head to take part in the grand battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
    126. ^ "Harun al-Rashid Castle liberated by SDF without damage". Hawar News Agency. 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-11. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    127. ^ "SDF liberates al-Mazarie Square". Hawar News Agency. 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-11. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    128. ^ a b Jamie Dettmer (10 July 2017). "Battle to Retake Raqqa a Desperate House-to-House Fight". Voice of America. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    129. ^ "Sold by IS in Raqa, Yazidi female fighters back for revenge". Al-Monitor. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    130. ^ a b c Jamie Dettmer (11 July 2017). "Deficit of Trust Between Arabs, Kurds Complicates Raqqa Battle". Voice of America. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    131. ^ "Massive military reinforcements from the Coalition arrive to the Syria Democratic Forces and head to take part in the grand battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    132. ^ "SDF deny the withdrawal of elite forces from the battle to liberate Al-Raqqa" (in Arabic). 24e. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    133. ^ Shelly Kittleson (7 August 2017). "Rebel groups weigh options in Syria's east". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
    134. ^ a b "About 55% of the city of al-Raqqa is under the control of the Syria Democratic Forces as the Grand Battle of al-Raqqa completes its second month". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    135. ^ "U.S.-backed forces loot Raqqa neighborhoods: activists". Zaman al-Wasl. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
    136. ^ "Renewed violent clashes accompanied by a bombing south of the Euphrates River in the southern countryside of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    137. ^ "The "Islamic State: organization loses the village where more than 200 of its members were executed southeast of Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    138. ^ "US backed Syrian militias capture town south of Raqqa". Middle East Eye. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
    139. ^ Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim; Maria Nelson (12 July 2017). "Bloody urban fight for Raqqa city drags on amid 'vicious' IS counterattacks". SYRIA:direct. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    140. ^ a b "Violent clashes continue in several areas in Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    141. ^ ""Euphrates Wrath" Operation Forces control about 35% of Al-Raqqah city's area and prepare for the conclusive battle". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    142. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (13 July 2017). "US-led coalition urges ISIS militants in Raqqa to surrender or die". ARA News. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    143. ^ "A 'shift' in strategy in Raqqa city amid rising civilian, military toll". SYRIA:Direct. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    144. ^ "SDF achieve a new advancement southwest of Al-Raqqah city within grand battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    145. ^ Dilber Issa (17 July 2017). "Kurdish-led forces destroy key ISIS headquarters in Raqqa, kill dozens of militants". ARA News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    146. ^ ""Islamic State" organization intensifies counter-attacks in its stronghold in Syria, and SDF advances slowly within neighborhoods of Al-Raqqah city after the killing of 560 fighters". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
    147. ^ "Clashes continue in Al-Raqqah city and airstrikes target the city and its countryside". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
    148. ^ Dilber Issa (24 July 2017). "Syrian Democratic Forces advance in Raqqa, hit ISIS defences". ARA News. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
    149. ^ a b "The Syria Democratic Forces control about 41% of ISIS stronghold after 7 weeks of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
    150. ^ Dilber Issa (21 July 2017). "US-backed SDF troops storm ISIS strongholds in Raqqa, kill scores of militants". ARA News. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
    151. ^ "After 50 days of the start of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah… the SDF control about 50% of the city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
    152. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (28 July 2017). "ISIS loses more ground in Raqqa, Kurdish-led forces announce liberation of 50% of the city". ARA News. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
    153. ^ "Clashes are ongoing in al-Raqqa, SDF entered another neighborhood". Hawar News Agency. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-30. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
    154. ^ "Clashes in areas in the stronghold of ISIS and more bombardments hit Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
    155. ^ "For the first time … The Forces of SDF coming from the east meet with their forces coming from the west in the southern part of Al-Raqqah city and continued battles to go deeper towards the city center". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    156. ^ "The Syria Democratic Forces backed by the International Coalition besiege the center of al-Raqqa city from 3 sides and continue their operations to go deep into the center of the city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    157. ^ Sarah Dadouch; Tom Perry (2 August 2017). "US-backed forces make 'significant gains' against Isis in Raqqa". The Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    158. ^ Leith Fadel (6 August 2017). "2,000 IS fighters left in Raqqa, using civilians as human shields – US envoy". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    159. ^ "Only grains and legumes in Al-Raqqah kitchens and ISIS opens the way for about 3000 people to flee the escalated clash areas". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    160. ^ "The Organization of "Caliphate State" intends to use its chemical weapons stockpile in the last round of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    161. ^ Mahmoud Bali (1 August 2017). "US-backed Forces Press Deeper Into Southern Raqqa City". Voice of America. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    162. ^ Noura Hourani; Justin Clark (14 August 2017). "Behind the Islamic State's Raqqa frontlines: 'People are just waiting for their turn to die'". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    163. ^ "Military reinforcements, vehicles and weapons reach again the Syria Democratic Forces in the vicinity of Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    164. ^ "Raqqa Campaign: Southern and western fronts meet". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 14 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-16. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    165. ^ "US-backed Syrian fighters win strategic victory near Raqqa". France 24. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    166. ^ "Continuous clash in areas in neighborhoods of Al-Raqqah city and a renewed shelling by the International Coalition". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    167. ^ "Clashes in the eastern countryside of Hama and the International Coalition warplanes renew the shelling on Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    168. ^ "A new counterattack by the "Islamic State" organization east of al-Raqqa". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    169. ^ "After 70 days of the start of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah… SDF supported by the International Coalition's Special Forces control 57% of Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
    170. ^ "SDF advance and control by firearm new positions in al-Raqqa city and the violent clashes are still ongoing on several fronts in the city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
    171. ^ "Renewed clashes in the Old City and other areas in the city of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
    172. ^ Andrew Illingworth (23 August 2017). "Kurdish forces wrest control over the heart of Raqqa from ISIS". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    173. ^ Richard Spencer (24 August 2017). "Raqqa's historic clock tower falls to advancing Kurdish forces". The Times. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    174. ^ "The SDF achieve new advancement and control about 90% of the Old City in Al-Raqqah approaching a new area towards the center of the city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    175. ^ "Continuous clashes in the vicinity of the center of the city of Raqqa". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    176. ^ "SDF declare MMC commander Abu Amjad's martyrdom". Hawar News Agency. 30 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    177. ^ "US-backed SDF seize Raqqa Old City from Daesh". Daily Sabah. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    178. ^ "U.S.-backed forces in Syria's Raqqa say they take old city". Reuters. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    179. ^ "Violent fighting in Al-Raqqah city center and continued clashes in Albu Sarayah Alley in the Old Town". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    180. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces Clear Great Mosque of Raqq". United States Department of Defense. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    181. ^ "80 days after starting the battles in the old city of Raqqa, the SDF fully control it after the restored al-Busariya alley". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    182. ^ Mahmoud Bali (6 September 2017). "US-backed Forces Advance Against IS in Central Raqqa". Voice of America. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    183. ^ Chris Tomson (4 September 2017). "1,200 ISIS fighters neutralized in Raqqa, 65% of city seized by Kurdish forces". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    184. ^ "The death of 11 civilians in Al-Raqqah city raises to about 1000 citizens killed by the International Coalition in the city since the start of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
    185. ^ "On the 100th day of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah… SDF control more than two thirds of Al-Raqqah city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    186. ^ a b "After the death of about 3000 civilians and fighters… the grand battle of Al-Raqqah approaches its end". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    187. ^ Madeline Edwards (20 September 2017). "US-backed 'scorched-earth' siege traps Raqqa civilians in fight to drive out Islamic State". Syria:direct. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    188. ^ a b "Islamic State faces endgame in Raqqa, says SDF". Middle East Eye. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    189. ^ "US-backed force 'mopping up' last Daesh holdouts in Raqqa". Arab News. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    190. ^ a b Wladimir van Wilgenburg (28 September 2017). "Raqqa in ruins: Brutal fight against IS leaves city destroyed". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
    191. ^ a b c d e f Quentin Sommerville; Riam Dalati (27 September 2017). "The city fit for no-one. Inside the ruined 'capital' of the Islamic State group". BBC News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
    192. ^ "Clashes intensify in al-Raqqa, fighters advance". Hawar News Agency. 25 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-09-28. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
    193. ^ a b John Davison (2 October 2017). "Islamic State hostages, strongholds stand between U.S.-backed forces and Raqqa's capture". Reuters. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
    194. ^ a b "Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq". United States Department of Defense. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
    195. ^ a b Amberin Zaman (26 September 2017). "Syrian Kurdish commander: We're 'ready to engage' with Damascus". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
    196. ^ "Islamic State fighters using human shields in Raqqa pockets as U.S.-backed forces take most of city". Japan Times. 22 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
    197. ^ David Sim (3 October 2017). "Battle for Raqqa photos: Isis confined to hospital and stadium, with hostages and snipers in both". International Business Times. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
    198. ^ Quentin Sommerville and Riam Dalati (13 November 2017). "Raqqa's dirty secret". BBC.
    199. ^ Damien Gayle (14 October 2017). "Last Isis fighters in Raqqa broker deal to leave Syrian city – local official". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
    200. ^ "Adnan Abu Amjad battle to liberate rest of al-Raqqa began". Hawar News Agency. 15 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
    201. ^ "Evacuation ends as ISIL defeat in Syria's Raqqa nears". Al Jazeera English. 15 October 2017.
    202. ^ "Al-Andalus and al-Matar neighborhoods liberated". Hawar News Agency. 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
    203. ^ "Raqqa's Al Naim roundabout liberated, 37 ISIS members surrender". Hawar News Agency. 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
    204. ^ Luis Martinez; Morgan Winsor (20 October 2017). "US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over ISIS in its former 'capital,' Raqqa". ABC News. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
    205. ^ "At least 1,600 civilians died in US-led Coalition actions at Raqqa, major new study finds". Airwars. 2019-04-25. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
    206. ^ "Syria: Landmines Kill, Injure Hundreds in Raqqa". reliefweb. 12 February 2018.
    207. ^ "Raqqa civil defense uncovers ISIS mass grave of 3,500 people". The Defense Post. 21 February 2019.
    208. ^ "Another mass grave with 300 bodies found in Raqqa". ANSAmed. 15 March 2019. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
    209. ^ "200 corpses found in mass grave in Syria's Raqqa". France24. 3 July 2019.
    210. ^ Raqqa's Liberation From ISIS Archived 2017-11-08 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Department of State, 20 October 2017.
    211. ^ Department Press Briefing - October 24, 2017 U.S. Department of State, 24 October 2017.
    212. ^ Минобороны: США и коалиция разбомбили Ракку, как Дрезден в 1945 году (Russian Defense Ministry compares US coalition bombing of Raqqa to destruction of Dresden) TASS, 22 October 2017.
    213. ^ "Russia compares US-led bombing of Raqqa to WWII destruction of Dresden". The Independent. 23 October 2017.
    214. ^ Raqqa: US coalition 'wiped city off Earth', Russia says BBC, 22 October 2017.
    215. ^ Foreign Ministry: Raqqa still occupied, can only be considered liberated when Syrian Army enters it SANA, 29 October 2017.

    Sources

    [edit]
    • Harp, Seth (23 February 2017). "The Anarchists vs. ISIS". Rolling Stone. New York City: Wenner Media LLC. pp. 42–49.
    [edit]
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Battle of Raqqa (2017).
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Raqqa_(2017)&oldid=1256014693"