(Click on Image to Enlarge)
Washington Post: In Raqqa, a battle of attrition as civilians flee in shock
BEIRUT — As U.S.-backed forces in Syria inch their way through Raqqa, once the Islamic State’s de facto capital and staunchest stronghold, their battle has become one of grinding attrition, and the toughest they have faced to date.
At times they are fighting house-to-house, battling suicide attacks in narrow streets as they wait to see if the militants will send more bombs among fleeing civilians.
“The battle for Raqqa is completely different to anything we have fought before. ISIS is defending its capital now,” said Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Kurdish-dominated militia — known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF — that Washington has backed to retake swaths of Syria controlled by the Islamic State.
Previous offensives have ended when the militants retreated, apparently deciding to conserve manpower ahead of more consequential battles. This time, Bali said, there would be no escape.
“Raqqa is completely surrounded,” he said. “They are fighting to the death.”
Read more ....
More News On The Battle For The Syrian City Of Raqqa
Isis: 2,000 fighters using Raqqa's civilians as human shields as US-led coalition makes significant gains in Syria -- The Independent
Syria war: 2,000 IS fighters still in Raqqa - US envoy -- BBC
SDF secured 50 percent of Raqqa from ISIS, says YPG spokesman -- TRT
U.S. Envoy Says 2,000 IS Fighters Battling For Survival In Syrian Stronghold Of Raqqa -- RFE
About 2,000 Islamic State fighters remain in Syria’s Raqqa: U.S. envoy -- SOFREP
US-Led Coalition Jets Destroy 30 Daesh Fighting Positions Near Raqqa -- Sputnik
ISIS Posting Syrian Children Outside of Car Bomb Factories to Prevent U.S. Airstrikes -- Washington Free Beacon
Raqqa: IS sows chaos as suicide and tunnel attacks blur front lines -- Middle East Eye
ISIS Warns of 'a Fire That Burns the Cross and Its People' as Raqqa Control Crumbles -- PJ Media
America Is Bombing the Hell out of Syrian Civilians -- Mother Jones
0 Response to "The Battle For Raqqa Is Becoming A Battle Of Attrition"
Post a Comment