Syria: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch Raqqa liberation operation
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - a coalition containing Kurds, Sunnis, Christians and Turkmen and led by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) - kicked off the operation to retake Raqqa in Syria on Tuesday.
The SDF alliance rallied close to 50,000 Kurdish and Arab fighters and, according to Rudaw news agency, the offensive on Raqqa launched on three fronts.
The offensive started after the visit of U.S. Army Gen Joseph Votel, new commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, last week to Rojava. The visit saw the appointment of the YPG-led SDF as most fit to spearhead the attack on Raqqa.
“Today our forces headed to Raqqa,” an SDF source said on Tuesday, adding that the U.S.-led coalition warplanes will also take part in the operation. Another source stated that the SDF forces will advance to the village of Fatse Big, Fatse Small, and Tishi first in order to clear them of IS militants.