Washington: US President Donald Trump said a turning point in the fight against the terrorist organization “Islamic State” after the troops of the “Syrian Democratic Forces” with the support of an international coalition led by the United States repulsed the “capital” of ISIS, the Syrian city of Raqqa that is kept under the control by the Jahadists for 3,5 years.
“The liberation of Raqqa is a” turning point ” in the world struggle against ISIS,” Trump said.
On Friday, October 20, the “Syrian Democratic Forces” announced the release of the Syrian city of Raqqa from the militants of the terrorist group “Islamic State” on October 20. The loss of the Iraqi “capital” of Mosul by militants of ISIS, and Raqqa have turning points for terrorists, whose leaders are increasingly alienating from the shrinking number of supporters of terrorism, the United States-led International Coalition reported.
The city of Raqqa was occupied by the Syrian opposition forces in 2013 and was dragged into a devastating civil war before the ISIS was captured in January 2014, when the city was declared the capital of the so-called “caliphate” of a terrorist group.
During the civil war in Raqqa, the local population lived in skirmishes, destruction, caused by a constant conflict between the Syrian regime and the opposition. Under the control of ISIS, foreign terrorists began to visit Raqqa. The residents were forced to live under a brutal regime that regularly carried out public executions declared as “taxation”, and forced appeals.
For 3,5 years of control, ISIS has transformed Raqqa into a fortified military prison. The terrorist organization used hospitals, mosques, schools and other protected areas as a cover for the planning, execution and support of military operations. Raqqa has been a key location for planning, financing, executing or inspiring ISIS all over the world, including attacks in Paris, Brussels, Nice, Manchester and many others.
The struggle for the liberation of Raqqa began with coalition strikes against ISIS to support the ground attack of the “Syrian Democratic Forces” on June 6. By September 3, the SDS had achieved significant success and took control of the Ancient Mosque in the old city center. This was the reason that the mosque was never destroyed, like the famous ancient Al Nuri mosque in Western Mosul, which terrorists undermined in June 2017.
“The SDS conducted a highly effective professional operation in a complex urban area to free the city,” said the head of the coalition, General Jonathan Braga.
Throughout the battle for Raqqa, the coalition has provided and continues to provide – training, equipment, advice, assistance, reconnaissance, air and ground strikes.