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The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the US-led coalition’s military advisers, artillery units and warplanes, have been isolating the ISIS self-proclaimed capital of Raqqah.
SDF units have captured the villages of Thoul Nail, Hamrat Ghanam, Annadah and Tall Zaidan and advanced on the villages of Hamrat Buwaytiyah and Raqqah as Samra east of Raqqah. With this advance, the SDF is seeking to cut off a number of ISIS-held villages east of Raqqah from the ISIS-held city and then to gain control over them.
West of Raqqah, the US-backed force has advanced on the village of Mazraat al-Andalus engaging ISIS terrorists in a series of firefights. Some pro-SDF sorces report that the village has already been liberated, but no videos or photos from the area have been provided so far.
Summing up the recent developments, it becomes clear that the SDF is rapidly advancing in the Raqqah countryside facing a little resistance from ISIS. The terrorist group has set up its main defense lines near the city itself.
The lines must be very near the city as the SDF is at some places only 4 to 5 kms from the city edge.
It struck me thatthe SDF is not advancing on the second dam, thereby leaving an escape route open for IS.
On purpose?
Better than a house-to-house fight.
They are advancing from north towards it.
I know.
Squezing them out?
Yep and the SAA has been doing the same thing. ISIS has been withdrawing fighters down towards Mayadin while leaving behind rear guard units so might as well let as many leave as possible before advancing to avoid casualties and equipment losses.
I doubt if those retreating are getting very far and suspect most are now in the villages along the south bank of the Euphrates where they can’t go far inside the desert nor make their way to Deir Azzor.