Posted on 03/10/2017 10:33:21 PM PST by elhombrelibre
BEIRUT — Backed by the United States, a multi-ethnic group known as the Syrian Democratic Forces is likely to lead the operation to capture the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, the Islamic State group’s de facto capital.
The group has been the most effective and trusted force by the United States to battle ISIS in the northern and eastern parts of Syria. The SDF was predominantly Kurdish but over the past months, more Arabs have been recruited by the group ahead of the battle for Raqqa which has a predominantly Arab population.
Here’s a look at the group:
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
"A Kurdish-led alliance that includes Arab tribesmen and Christian fighters. The group which was founded in October 2015 has tens of thousands of fighters almost equally divided between Arabs and Kurds, according to Brig. Gen. Hussam al-Awwak, an Arab who heads public relations at SDF."
Great photos. I especially like the AC-130 gunship one, and it makes me wonder why it’s not seen more use to defeat ISIS. Nonetheless, ISIS is being ground down and annihilated.
If our allies can capture the capital, maybe they can capture and kill the leadership — all of it. Throw ISIS into as much chaos as possible.
Kurds near Raqqa are told: “If you see something, say something.” (Then keep watching, because it is about to blow up real good.)
The pace of airstrikes is already way up - ten airstrikes in Raqqa before lunch yesterday. I have not heard of the artillery opening fire yet - probably still digging in.
Reuters reports on a thumbs up from the assault force:
“The number of our forces is now increasing, particularly from among the people of the area, and we have enough strength to liberate Raqqa with support from the coalition forces,” Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, an SDF spokeswoman, said.”
The Daily Caller reports: “Islamic State leaders have retreated from their de facto capital in Raqqa, leaving their men behind to die as U.S.-backed forces close in on the Syrian city.”
Separately, ISIS is retreating en masse before the Syrian forces heading East from Aleppo. I saw a bunch of photos on twitter of heavy traffic leaving Dayr Hafir, which looked like them taking off their uniforms and leaving with their families (women in Saudi-style black abayas) and possessions - relocating for good.
The Saudis can go back to Saudi Arabia, the rest will probably follow the rat lines along the Euphrates River, and melt back into the civilian populations from whence they came. Non-Syrians/non-Iraqis will mostly die in the coming weeks/months.
It will take a while to clear ISIS areas, checking every closet, and disposing of every IED, but it is looking more like a full scale collapse of the Caliphate is developing.
Many reports indicate the ISIS “leadership” has gone in to hiding, which should tell their supporters a great deal about their commitment to the cause.
It’s great to see a plan coming together, and it’s great to see this evil movement being destroyed.
“it makes me wonder why it’s (AC-130) not seen more use to defeat ISIS”
They are mostly dug in, in urban areas, and well concealed. In the last year or so, when they were out in the open, they have sometimes been visited.
Early on when ISIS was convoying around open highways, and maintaining front line fighting positions in the open, those gunships could have done more damage, but their use was restricted by rules of engagement.
Kurds are great fighters—Saladin, King Richard’s Foe in the Holy Lands was a Kurd.
Yes, you’re right. And the Arabs like to pretend that he was an Arab, and the Turks like to pretend that there is really no such thing as a Kurd. They’re just mountain Turks, which is baloney.
Nice. Where did you pull that picture from?
“Many reports indicate the ISIS “leadership” has gone in to hiding, which should tell their supporters a great deal about their commitment to the cause.”
Typical acts of chicken-shit, so-called terrorist “leaders.” Run like the cowards they are when the enemy edges closer. What happened to all that ballyhooed glory of “martyrdom?” Not what it’s cracked up to be, apparently.
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