The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) entered Hashim Bin Abdul Malik district in the southern part of Raqqa City and started advancing in the Old Raqqa area in the middle of the city. In the northeastern part of the city, the SDF managed to capture the Farms area north of Al-Barid district.
SDF fighters liberated 75% of the Abasid wall of Raqqa from IS and the silos are visible from the SDF positions
ANHA#Raqqa #SDF #YPJ #YPG pic.twitter.com/kPMnf1nlKN— CLAUDIA (@ClaudiaAlMina) 7 July 2017
Moreover, SDF fighters managed to thwart an ISIS VBIED attack on Tabqah town.
#قوات_سوريا_الديمقراطية تفشل محاولة #داعش لتفجير مفخخة في الطبقة pic.twitter.com/2ut4G47SXC
— قوات سوريا من الجبهة (@QSD_Jabha) 7 July 2017
From its side, ISIS claimed to kill 16 SDF fighters with a VBIED attack on SDF positions in the village of Qesra Sorour southwest of Raqqa.
10 more SDF fighters were allegedly killed as a result of an attack by its fighters on SDF positions in the village of Qesra Jumaa south of Raqqa as well.
Meanwhile, the US-led coalition continued targeting ISIS positions in Raqqa city, killing three civilians, according to opposition sources. The US Marines also destroyed mortar positions of ISIS in Raqqa. It’s believed that the SDF is working to capture the Old Raqqa area to avoid what the Iraqi Army faced during the battle of Mosul.
@USMC artillery destroys an #ISIS artillery system in support of #SDF operations to defeat ISIS in #Raqqah, #Syria, May 14, 2017. pic.twitter.com/5sQn3vil1U
— Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) 7 July 2017
As far as the old city is concerned, SDF is, in comparison to Iraqi forces, doing very well.
Still, a long way to go.
I suspect the SDF has full knowledge of ISIS positions and strengths in Raqqa and the Euphrates Valley due to all the spies the US CIA and military had inside ISIS.
Maybe flooding the east side filled all of the tunnels ISIS had dug beneath the city?