Syrian Kurdish-led forces a ‘few weeks’ from Raqqa
Posted on March 10, 2017 by Editorial Staff in Kurdistan
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces SDF fighters ride a military vehicle north of Raqqa city, Syria. Photo: Reuters
BEIRUT,— U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian forces said on Thursday they were closing in on Islamic State-held Raqqa and expected to reach the city outskirts in a few weeks, as a U.S. Marines artillery unit deployed to help the campaign.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a militia alliance including the powerful Kurdish YPG of Syrian Kurdistan, is the main U.S. partner in the war against Islamic State in Syria. Since November it has been working with the U.S.-led coalition to encircle Raqqa. The SDF alliance has about 30,000 Kurdish fighters and about 5,000 Arab fighters.
SDF spokesman Talal Silo said: “We expect that within a few weeks there will be a siege of the city.”
Coalition spokesman U.S. Air Force Colonel John Dorrian said the additional U.S. forces would be working with local partners in Syria – the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Arab Coalition – and would not have a front line role.
Some 500 U.S. personnel are already in Syria to help the fight against IS. A 400-strong additional deployment which arrived in recent days comprised both Marines and Army Rangers, Dorrian said, adding they were there temporarily.
Coalition airstrikes killed 23 civilians, including eight children, in the countryside north of Raqqa on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor said. The coalition said it was investigating the incident.
Islamic State is also being fought in Syria by the Russian-backed Syrian military, and by Syrian rebel groups fighting under the Free Syrian Army banner with Turkish backing in northern Syria and Jordanian backing in southern Syria.
On the other major flank of the assault on IS, Iraqi forces aim to dislodge the militant group from west Mosul within a month.
This week, the SDF cut the road between Raqqa and the jihadists’ stronghold of Deir al-Zor province – the last main road out of the city which is bordered to the south by the Euphrates River.
Dorrian said the effort to isolate Raqqa was “going very very well” and could be completed in a few weeks. “Then the decision to move in can be made,” he told Reuters by telephone.
The artillery will help “expedite the defeat of ISIS in Raqqa”, he said, using another acronym for Islamic State. The Marines were armed with 155-millimetre artillery guns. Asked if they had been used yet, Dorrian said he did not believe so.
“We have had what I would describe as a pretty relentless air campaign to destroy enemy capabilities and to kill enemy fighters in that area already. That is something that we are going to continue and intensify with this new capability.”
A Kurdish military source told Reuters that further U.S. reinforcements were expected to arrive in the coming days.
U.S regards the Kurdish PYD party and its powerful military wing YPG of Syrian Kurdistan as key ally against Islamic State and the most effective fighting force against IS in Syria and has provided them with arms, air support as well as the military advisers. The Kurdish militia has seized swathes of Syria from IS.
SDF RULED OUT TURKEY ROLE
The U.S. military alliance with the SDF and YPG has strained relations with U.S. ally Turkey, which views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as it fears the creation of an autonomous Kurdish region in Syrian Kurdistan — similar to the Kurdish region in Iraqi Kurdistan — would spur the separatist ambitions of Turkey’s own Kurds.
Fearing deepening Kurdish influence in Syrian Kurdistan (northern Syria), Turkey has been pressing Washington for a role in the final assault on Raqqa. SDF spokesman Silo said the SDF had ruled out that idea during a meeting with U.S. officials last month.
“The Turkish side is an occupation force and it cannot be allowed to occupy more Syrian land,” he told Reuters. The meeting in northern Syria was attended by U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. military officials, he said.
Dorrian said the Army Rangers were on a different mission to the Marines in a previously announced deployment near the city of Manbij to “create some reassurance” for Turkey and U.S. partners in Syria – a reference to the SDF.
Turkey says the Kurdish militia maintains a presence in Manbij. The YPG denies this.
Dorrian said a possible role for Turkey “remains a point of discussion at military leadership and diplomatic levels”.
He added that a new shipment of armored personnel carriers had been supplied to the Syrian Arab Coalition, part of the SDF which has been vetted by the U.S.-led coalition, since an earlier delivery was announced in late January.
Syrian Kurdistan’s ruling PYD has established three autonomous zones, or Cantons of Jazeera, Kobani and Afrin and a Kurdish government across Syrian Kurdistan in 2013. On March 17, 2016 Syria’s Kurds declared a federal region in Syrian Kurdistan. On Dec. 30, 2016 Syrian Kurds approved a blueprint for a system of federal government in Syrian Kurdistan, reaffirming their plans for autonomy in areas they have controlled during the civil war.
http://ekurd.net/syrian-kurdish-weeks-raqqa-2017-03-10
Posted on March 10, 2017 by Editorial Staff in Kurdistan
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces SDF fighters ride a military vehicle north of Raqqa city, Syria. Photo: Reuters
BEIRUT,— U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian forces said on Thursday they were closing in on Islamic State-held Raqqa and expected to reach the city outskirts in a few weeks, as a U.S. Marines artillery unit deployed to help the campaign.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a militia alliance including the powerful Kurdish YPG of Syrian Kurdistan, is the main U.S. partner in the war against Islamic State in Syria. Since November it has been working with the U.S.-led coalition to encircle Raqqa. The SDF alliance has about 30,000 Kurdish fighters and about 5,000 Arab fighters.
SDF spokesman Talal Silo said: “We expect that within a few weeks there will be a siege of the city.”
Coalition spokesman U.S. Air Force Colonel John Dorrian said the additional U.S. forces would be working with local partners in Syria – the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Arab Coalition – and would not have a front line role.
Some 500 U.S. personnel are already in Syria to help the fight against IS. A 400-strong additional deployment which arrived in recent days comprised both Marines and Army Rangers, Dorrian said, adding they were there temporarily.
Coalition airstrikes killed 23 civilians, including eight children, in the countryside north of Raqqa on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor said. The coalition said it was investigating the incident.
Islamic State is also being fought in Syria by the Russian-backed Syrian military, and by Syrian rebel groups fighting under the Free Syrian Army banner with Turkish backing in northern Syria and Jordanian backing in southern Syria.
On the other major flank of the assault on IS, Iraqi forces aim to dislodge the militant group from west Mosul within a month.
This week, the SDF cut the road between Raqqa and the jihadists’ stronghold of Deir al-Zor province – the last main road out of the city which is bordered to the south by the Euphrates River.
Dorrian said the effort to isolate Raqqa was “going very very well” and could be completed in a few weeks. “Then the decision to move in can be made,” he told Reuters by telephone.
The artillery will help “expedite the defeat of ISIS in Raqqa”, he said, using another acronym for Islamic State. The Marines were armed with 155-millimetre artillery guns. Asked if they had been used yet, Dorrian said he did not believe so.
“We have had what I would describe as a pretty relentless air campaign to destroy enemy capabilities and to kill enemy fighters in that area already. That is something that we are going to continue and intensify with this new capability.”
A Kurdish military source told Reuters that further U.S. reinforcements were expected to arrive in the coming days.
U.S regards the Kurdish PYD party and its powerful military wing YPG of Syrian Kurdistan as key ally against Islamic State and the most effective fighting force against IS in Syria and has provided them with arms, air support as well as the military advisers. The Kurdish militia has seized swathes of Syria from IS.
SDF RULED OUT TURKEY ROLE
The U.S. military alliance with the SDF and YPG has strained relations with U.S. ally Turkey, which views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as it fears the creation of an autonomous Kurdish region in Syrian Kurdistan — similar to the Kurdish region in Iraqi Kurdistan — would spur the separatist ambitions of Turkey’s own Kurds.
Fearing deepening Kurdish influence in Syrian Kurdistan (northern Syria), Turkey has been pressing Washington for a role in the final assault on Raqqa. SDF spokesman Silo said the SDF had ruled out that idea during a meeting with U.S. officials last month.
“The Turkish side is an occupation force and it cannot be allowed to occupy more Syrian land,” he told Reuters. The meeting in northern Syria was attended by U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. military officials, he said.
Dorrian said the Army Rangers were on a different mission to the Marines in a previously announced deployment near the city of Manbij to “create some reassurance” for Turkey and U.S. partners in Syria – a reference to the SDF.
Turkey says the Kurdish militia maintains a presence in Manbij. The YPG denies this.
Dorrian said a possible role for Turkey “remains a point of discussion at military leadership and diplomatic levels”.
He added that a new shipment of armored personnel carriers had been supplied to the Syrian Arab Coalition, part of the SDF which has been vetted by the U.S.-led coalition, since an earlier delivery was announced in late January.
Syrian Kurdistan’s ruling PYD has established three autonomous zones, or Cantons of Jazeera, Kobani and Afrin and a Kurdish government across Syrian Kurdistan in 2013. On March 17, 2016 Syria’s Kurds declared a federal region in Syrian Kurdistan. On Dec. 30, 2016 Syrian Kurds approved a blueprint for a system of federal government in Syrian Kurdistan, reaffirming their plans for autonomy in areas they have controlled during the civil war.
http://ekurd.net/syrian-kurdish-weeks-raqqa-2017-03-10
Today at 6:02 am by Rocky
» “It is coming soon.” The Sudanese advisor sets the date for the referral of the Baghdad metro and th
Today at 6:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Mubarqa: Iraq reserves its full right to respond to the Australian behavior
Today at 6:00 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates on Iraqi stock exchanges... recorded a decline, and this is the list
Today at 5:58 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Sadr supports the position of American university students
Today at 5:56 am by Rocky
» Iraqis are ranked 7th in the Arab world on the list of those most seeking immigration to America. He
Today at 5:55 am by Rocky
» The UAE company ADNOC resorts to Iraqi oil. Find out the reasons
Today at 5:53 am by Rocky
» Soon.. 3 new hospitals will open in Baghdad
Today at 5:52 am by Rocky
» Sponsored by Al-Sudani...the opening of the Arab Labor Conference in its fiftieth session in Baghdad
Today at 5:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Shammari chairs a meeting at the controlling headquarters to review the results of the security o
Today at 5:49 am by Rocky
» Arab Labor Organization: We commend Iraq's interest in the Arab Labor Conference
Today at 5:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The development road project will provide many job opportunities
Today at 5:47 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/26/24 Iraqi Dinar - US Treasury Exchange Rates- Focus - Banking Partnerships - Rate C
Yesterday at 6:11 pm by Rocky
» Sudanese advisor criticizes Kuwaiti analyzes regarding the development road project
Yesterday at 3:21 pm by Rocky
» Al-Mandalawi stresses the need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between Iraq and Poland
Yesterday at 3:04 pm by Rocky
» Power maneuvers: America provides defensive weapons to Kurdistan in exchange for withholding from Ba
Yesterday at 11:26 am by Rocky
» Kuwait is drilling an oil well near Umm Qasr, towards Iraqi territory
Yesterday at 11:24 am by Rocky
» In the document... the first Iraqi ministry identifies the obstacles to changing the new official wo
Yesterday at 11:22 am by Rocky
» Italian Institute: Iraq is stuck in its own crises, including Baghdad’s efforts to undermine the “au
Yesterday at 11:21 am by Rocky
» The head of the Integrity Commission announces the holding of an international Interpol conference i
Yesterday at 11:18 am by Rocky
» Planning: Iraqi companies are not efficient in conducting the population census
Yesterday at 11:14 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/24/24 Support - USA- Turkey - Timing- Currency Value - Tabled
Yesterday at 9:08 am by Rocky
» MM&C 4/25/24 National Bank of Iraq goes live with Temenos core banking and payments
Yesterday at 9:06 am by Rocky
» A banking official indicates a "danger" to Iraq by depriving more than half of its banks of dollars
Yesterday at 8:55 am by Rocky
» With the participation of the Association of Private Banks, investment opportunities are on the tabl
Yesterday at 8:45 am by Rocky
» Within a month... an Iranian border crossing recorded a noticeable increase in exports of goods to I
Yesterday at 8:44 am by Rocky
» The Association of Private Banks appreciates the efforts of the government and the Central Bank to c
Yesterday at 8:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki's coalition presents a third candidate for the position of governor of Diyala
Yesterday at 7:57 am by Rocky
» Arab gathering: The Kirkuk problem is getting complicated and the Sudanese must intervene
Yesterday at 7:56 am by Rocky
» Next week.. a Kurdish delegation will visit Baghdad to meet with the Minister of Finance
Yesterday at 7:54 am by Rocky
» Under the pretext of salaries... Al-Party refrains from handing over port revenues to Baghdad
Yesterday at 7:53 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: For the first time, we are witnessing a clear targeting of depriving half of t
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Parliament does not know the reason for the delay in sending the 2024 budget schedules: Voting takes
Yesterday at 7:49 am by Rocky
» Applicants for the 2024 Hajj are demanding that the Central Bank secure the dollar for them through
Yesterday at 6:09 am by Rocky
» Governmental and private banks will showcase their services tomorrow during Financial Inclusion Week
Yesterday at 6:08 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports rise despite OPEC+ cuts
Yesterday at 6:06 am by Rocky
» A study explodes a "surprise"... Iraq is among the countries that export oil to "Israel": How is the
Yesterday at 6:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Araji emphasizes working to strengthen national identity
Yesterday at 6:02 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani visits Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Economic Forum in Riyadh
Yesterday at 6:01 am by Rocky
» Iraq is talking about producing one million additional liters of gasoline
Yesterday at 5:59 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers approves the implementation of the Baghdad Metro project
Yesterday at 5:56 am by Rocky
» Minister of Commerce: We formed a joint economic committee with Türkiye
Yesterday at 5:55 am by Rocky
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Baghdad will continue to send salaries to the region’s employees until settle
Yesterday at 5:51 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian describes the corruption of Iraqi ports as “ghouls” and reveals the involvement of
Yesterday at 5:49 am by Rocky
» Obelisk Hour: Basra is the subject of political conflict and ambiguity over the fate of the funds al
Yesterday at 5:48 am by Rocky
» Turkmen leader: An agreement on the local government of Kirkuk is near
Yesterday at 5:45 am by Rocky
» Anbar calls for the operation of its factories despite financial obstacles
Yesterday at 5:44 am by Rocky
» Turki: The crisis of the Presidency of Parliament prompted the Sunnis to amend the Council’s interna
Yesterday at 5:43 am by Rocky
» The Agriculture Committee confirms the existence of Iraqi-Turkish-Iranian discussions on water
Yesterday at 5:42 am by Rocky
» Resources diagnose the challenges facing the water file in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament pledges to the Interior Ministry: We will transfer money to buy weapons from citizens
Yesterday at 5:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Issawi is the closest.. Parliament sets the date for deciding the choice of the new president
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq's investments have risen and need a comprehensive review of previous years
Yesterday at 5:30 am by Rocky
» Iraqis consume 7 billion eggs annually and import about $900 million
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» The Iranian role complicates attempts at open cooperation between Iraq and Turkey. Turkey is trying
Yesterday at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Move in Iran to obtain $242 billion from Iraq in compensation for the eight-year war
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» 12 decisions from the Council of Ministers regarding the Baghdad Metro and Najaf-Karbala train proje
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The path to development has begun... the Baka and the militias “we silence them wi
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Not from Kurdistan.. How did Iraq become a source of oil for “Israeli tanks”?
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture criticizes the Sudanese and Erdogan agreement: Türkiye will control water
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government issues new decisions
Thu Apr 25, 2024 3:35 pm by Rocky
» The story of “reduced oil” to Jordan, from “compulsion” to mutual benefit.. Is there a loss?
Thu Apr 25, 2024 3:33 pm by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers takes 12 decisions for the Baghdad Metro and the Najaf-Karbala train
Thu Apr 25, 2024 3:32 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/23/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - Development Road Project - Saviour of Global Banking
Thu Apr 25, 2024 11:18 am by Rocky
» Kidney from pig transplanted into deathly ill New Jersey woman — and begins working almost immediat
Thu Apr 25, 2024 11:15 am by Bama Diva
» The most difficult option.. Warnings of the danger of floating the Iraqi dinar without achieving an
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:48 am by Rocky
» Trade from the “Economic Committee” with Türkiye: It will overcome all obstacles facing the traders
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:46 am by Rocky
» Washington's hope for stable relations with Baghdad clashes with Iraqi parties' rejection of the Ame
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:41 am by Rocky
» Karim Badr: Development is America’s will to kill silk
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:36 am by Rocky
» Oil: Opening of a new port for liquid gas for vehicles in Baghdad
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:33 am by Rocky
» A media advisor warns of corruption in a draft law on the Parliament’s agenda
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:21 am by Rocky
» Economist: There is serious work to lift US sanctions on Iraqi banks
Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:16 am by Rocky
» Will the agreements signed with the US Treasury reflect positively on the exchange rates?
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:52 am by Rocky
» Iraq continues its quest to join the World Trade Organization
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:51 am by Rocky
» Iraq completes the completion of the files for the initial offer of goods and services to join the W
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:50 am by Rocky
» Economist: Travelers' dollars are leaking into the parallel market...and this is what the Central Ba
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:32 am by Rocky
» President of the Federal Court: It is not permissible to force anyone to join any party, and the pol
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:30 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its session headed by Al-Sudani
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:27 am by Rocky
» America weakens Baghdad...and increases Kurdistan's military capabilities
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:26 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government plans to build 10,000 schools throughout the country
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:23 am by Rocky
» American threats close the Iraqi Stock Exchange at a loss
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:21 am by Rocky
» Increase in external transfers at the Central Bank
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki calls on Britain to cancel restrictions on the entry of its companies into Iraq
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:18 am by Rocky
» Planning and the European Union are discussing signing a number of agreements in the development, en
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:16 am by Rocky
» Parliament talks about the mechanism for recovering smuggled funds and hints at the next stage
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:13 am by Rocky
» Interior Ministry: The number of completed national cards reached 37 million cards
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:06 am by Rocky
» Amnesty International: Violations of freedom and human rights continue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Reg
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: The government is proceeding with the decision to raise the price of improved gas
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:03 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee in Basra to investigate violations of the port company and the local gover
Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:00 am by Rocky
» Revealing the 10 most important American exports to Iraq
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:31 am by Rocky
» A noticeable increase in the rate of Iraq's import of Chinese cooling devices
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:30 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Working on projects without completing the infrastructure is a waste of money
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:28 am by Rocky
» Iraq.. Extending the deadline for registration procedures on plots of land
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:27 am by Rocky
» What is the main purpose of conducting the population census in Iraq?
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:25 am by Rocky
» A plan to transform Iraq from a barren land to green with 5 million trees
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:24 am by Rocky
» The Housing Fund announces the acceptance of more than 11 thousand loans through the Ur platform
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:23 am by Rocky
» The Bank of Baghdad is moving to increase its capital to 400 billion dinars
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:20 am by Rocky
» The electronic payment system will soon be adopted on Iraqi buses
Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:19 am by Rocky