Syrian Democratic Forces announce launching Raqqa offensive
Syrian Democratic Forces. File photo.
(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – The Syrian Democratic Forces announced on Sunday launching the battle to liberate the city of Raqqa from the Islamic State, and pointed out that the United Stated will provide air cover during the offensive.
SDF Spokesperson, Jehan Sheikh Amad, said in a news conference in the Syrian town of Ain Issa,”The general command of the Syria Democratic Forces announces the blessed start of its major military campaign to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa.”
The Syrian Democratic Forces also called on the people of Raqqa to avoid areas where Islamic State militants are present and to resort to the liberated territories.
Meanwhile, Reuters quoted French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian as saying that an offensive on Raqqa should be launched while the battle to push the group out of Mosul is under way.
“We have to go to Raqqa … it will automatically be local forces that will liberate Raqqa even if French forces, U.S. forces, the coalition contribute with air strikes to dismantle ISIS,” Le Drian added. “Mosul-Raqqa can’t be disassociated because Islamic State and the territories it occupies span that area,” he explained.