Posted on 03/23/2017 1:50:42 AM PDT by elhombrelibre
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with their Syrian Arab Coalition fighters, launched a multi-pronged offensive behind enemy lines on Wednesday to liberate the Tabqah Dam in Syria from ISIS. Apache helicopters, U.S. Marine artillery and special operation troops were part of this operation to drop SDF fighters near Tabqa.
“The Coalition supported this offensive with air movement and logistical support, precision airstrikes, Apache helicopters in close air support, Marine artillery, and special operations advice and assistance to SDF leadership,” the US-led coalition said in a statement.
“Over the last four months, the Coalition has conducted more than 300 airstrikes around Tabqah and near Raqqa that have killed hundreds of enemy fighters, destroyed more than 200 fortifications, and more than 50 ISIS vehicles,” the coalition added.
“It takes a special breed of warrior to pull off an airborne operation or air assault behind enemy lines,” said Col. Joe Scirocco of the coalition against ISIS. “There is nothing easy about this – it takes audacity and courage. And the SDF has that in spades.”
Seizing Tabqah Dam will isolate Raqqa from three sides and give the SDF the strategic advantage and launching point needed for the liberation of the city. The area is critical to ISIS’s ability to import and harbor foreign fighters, export terror, and is ISIS’s last link to territory west of the Euphrates.
Tabqah Dam has been used as an ISIS headquarters, a prison for high-profile hostages, a training location, and for external terror plotting since ISIS took control of the location in 2013.
“The SDF and their local Syrian Arab Coalition fighters, have proven to be the most effective ground force against ISIS in Syria – and they are proving that once again with this daring operation,” said Scrocca.
Tabqah Dam is a key element of northern Syria’s economy, agriculture and way of life, and its destruction by ISIS could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis. The US-led coalition said it will take every precaution to ensure the dam’s integrity.
“It is the SDF on the ground, putting their lives at risk, and violently engaging the enemy,” said Scrocca. “And it is the SDF, like the Iraqi Security Forces, who are making the sacrifice so that other Coalition nations do not continue to suffer the threat of ISIS terrorism inside our own borders.”
“This operation demonstrates the close relationship between the US military and SDF fighters,” Washington-based analyst Nicholas A. Heras, Bacevich Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), told ARA News. “A special operation, the air drop would not have even been attempted by the US military if the Americans did not have complete trust in the capabilities of the SDF.”
“Further, by supporting the SDF to seize Tabqa Dam, one of the most important and strategic infrastructure projects in all of Syria, the US military is sending a signal that through the SDF the United States intends to increase and maximize its leverage on all actors, local and foreign, in the conflict. Contrary to Turkey’s preference, the U.S. is stating that there is no future settlement in Syria without the SDF,” Heras concluded.
Bad news for folks who think Trump would become Pat Buchanan once elected.
Yeah! He just keeps on keeping promises!
WOW was ISIS beatable.
They’re falling left and right the past month.
What’s changed? Hmm. Let me think...
The USA with its SDF and Iraqi allies is destroying the Centers of Gravity ISIS has and annihilating ISIS. No one else beyond our allies has focused as diligently and persistently on that goal.
“Apache helicopters, U.S. Marine artillery and special operation troops were part of this operation to drop SDF fighters near Tabqa.”.......
It would be interesting to know how many of those who engaged ISIS were actually NOT Americans. Sounds to me more like a successful typical American military operation but giving credence to the SDF fighters.
The majority are Kurds and Arabs in the SDF.
"The Race to Raqqa Could Cost Trump Turkey"
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/03/21/the-race-to-raqqa-could-cost-trump-turkey/
Winning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Erdogan the Tiny (penis) is gnashing his teeth no doubt. Same with 98% of dems and their fawning msm court.
Very interesting article. Thank you for posting.
This section of the middle east has the most complex interactions of alliances, enemies and “friends.” (Friends are people with some common interests who won’t kill you as long as you are giving them something they want.) What a mess. I really wish the United States didn’t have people involved, but to not be involved cedes American interests in the region to people who would like to kill or enslave us.
Turkey is no major loss as they are now thoroughly on the enemy side of the equation. When a Turkish minister tells the refugees to have five children and take over the West that pretty much sums up their position on us and our progeny.
As for that airbase in Turkey, necessity is the mother of invention and we do still have enough carriers to handle anything that might need attention in the area. Also, we can improve the effectiveness of our bombing by actually killing people instead of empty vehicles, as Obama did. (I suspect this has already been done.)
Erdogan is likely to go back to his old tricks and arm islamists to attack Damscus and targets in western Syria
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