SDF have ‘reached the Euphrates’ 10 days into campaign for Raqqa

UPI ^ | Dec. 21, 2016 | By Andrew V. Pestano

[GonzoII]

RAQQA, Syria, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces militia said it has reached the Euphrates River and seized a large area of territory in the offensive to liberate Raqqa from the Islamic State.

The SDF's "Wrath of Euphrates" offensive is supported by a U.S.-led international coalition, which shares intelligence with allies and conducts airstrikes against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, ISIL and ISIS. The offensive's second stage is approaching its second week of operations.

[GonzoII]

In the end I guess we're going to have a divided Syria.

[SaveFerris]

[the Euphrates River]

A rather significant landmark in the Bible and Bible Prophecy.

And yet there are still folks out there who believe the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri.....

[AU72]

BTW, how is the battle for Mosul going. The way I see it, they’re giving ISIS every opportunity to get out of Dodge before moving in.

[GonzoII]

http://www.fayobserver.com/military/fort-bragg-commander-gives-update-on-war-against-isis-local/article_925ff6c3-d3bf-502d-a91f-5818014cb0d6.html

[BeauBo]

Kurds are getting close to the Taqba Dam, a key crossing of the Euphrates River, just West of Raqqa.

If the Kurds cross the river and take Tabqa, they could cut the main Western route to supply Raqqa from Turkey. Also, the strategic Tabqa Airbase, south of the highway would be endangered.

The Syrian Regime/Russians had come close to taking that Airbase earlier this year, coming across the desert from the Southwest (Palmyra). They were pushed back then by ISIS, but if the Kurds held the highway, they would have a much better chance.

From Taqba Airbase, it is just a few minutes flight to Raqqa. Heavy pressure could be brought onto Raqqa from there.

[BeadCounter]

Well, I’d hope we’d have a state of Kurdistan but Turkey seems dead set against it. I don’t see why. So in that little bit, yes, we could have a different map.

SDF, Syrian Democratic Forces have many Kurds.

[AU72]

Thanks, this level of detail is hard to find in the US media.