The US General overseeing the operations has already said no to any kind of ‘deal’ that would see any ISIS fighters being able to evacuate. Nothing but total unconditional surrender will be considered. A story yesterday pointed out as the SDF is engaged in operations to free the civilians, they are also interrogating them to find out of if any of those rescued are trying to use the guise to flee. They are using the real civilians to point out those they know are liars.
As it appears now, there were dozens of ISIS fighters who surrendered yesterday from what is believed to be only 200-300 left and they are surrounded with only small arms and a constantly diminishing RPG and ammunition to go on.
The end is near for them to either die or unconditionally surrender.
That is what the US military and SDF wants. Some of the local Arab councils want to make a deal with ISIS to surrender and give up the human shields. These remaining civilians have suffered hugely under ISIS cruelty. Some distinction exists between hardcore foreign fighters in ISIS (like Hitler’s SS) and those who were locals who joined. Kurds have already tried a number the captured ISIS in Iraq and those convicted were executed swiftly.
There is no good solution to the final stage in Raqqa.
It is clear, ISIS must be destroyed.
You are correct.
I was told and read yesterday that the Arab councils brokered the deal for those leaving. No foreign fighters included.
Object was to reduce the civilian deaths.
US military and the SDF wanted no part of it. Many units fighting in Raqqa were local Arab militia’s. That was done largely to appease Erdogan the Islamist.
My issue, after they leave with the civilian human shields what happens?
It is still unclear.