ISIS terrorists have conducted a series of attacks against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the southern and northern parts of Raqqah city.
According to the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq, a suicide vehicle Borne improvised explosive device attack killed at least 15 SDF members and injured few others in near a mosque southeast of the Old Raqqah area.
Local sources reported an intesnse fighting between the SDF and ISIS in Old Raqqah and in the 17th Division Base area. According to reports, ISIS allegedy pushed the SDF to retreat from the “clock square” in Old Raqqah and entered the village of Asadiyah north of the 17th Division Base.
The fighting is ongoing amid an intense artillery and air bombardmend of the ISIS-held areas by the US-led coalition.
Pro-Kurdish sources deny any retreats under the ISIS pressure inside Raqqah city. According to them, the SDF is in control of about 60% of Raqqah, including 65% of the Old Raqqah area. However, a lack of videos and photos from the allegedly liberated areas fuel suggestions that at least a part of the ISIS reports is true. The 17th Division Base is one of the areas where the situation remains unclear.
There are no doubts that the SDF, supported by the US-led coalition, will be able to take a full control over the city sooner or later. However, the observed lack of progress inside Raqqah may indicate that the operation may repeat the battle for Mosul that lasted much longer than the Pentagon and the Iraqi military had expected.
The map below provides a sceptical look at the SDF progress in Raqqah city:
Click to see the full-size image
Why are these SVBIED attacks still succeeding? Can’t SDF deploy anti-tank mines and ATGMs? Isn’t Washington supplying them with what they need? When these were “surprise tactics” some will succeed, but I don’t understand why SDF has not adjusted tactics to make these SVBIEDs into SVs.
it was discussed time ago on sf and the point was that it’s pretty much impossible to bring the VBIED threat to 0% with the current tactical and technological means.
That said, there is a marked reduction in these kind of attacks compared to previous years (at least publicly).
The Iraqi Army in Mosul also relied heavily on earth berms made by bulldozers to block SVIEDs. I haven’t seen much of that in videos and photos of Raqqa. I wonder why?
Not enough sand :)
If berms had “Z” shaped gaps where vehicles slowed to a crawl, command detonated mines in the passage would be effective!
Hi, this could help to get more info on the issue: https://southfront.org/car-bombs-and-the-means-to-combat-them/
Mosul was a mess and they still managed to let SVBIEDs off ,I guess !!!
The longer ISIS keeps the SDF and their US masters occupied in Raqqa the better for Syria. Ironically it appears that ISIS feel great ire toward the US for being betrayed by America :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOGK57xs5Ro
bork
xoxoxo
Pretty horrific but where the American people are concerned it’s …. in one ear and straight out the other.
Richard M said: ‘Why are these SVBIED attacks still succeeding? Can’t SDF deploy anti-tank mines and ATGMs? Isn’t Washington supplying them with what they need? When these were “surprise tactics” some will succeed, but I don’t understand why SDF has not adjusted tactics to make these SVBIEDs into SVs.’
Same point could be made of SAA, Richard M. Fact is that it could be easier to contain had the Bastards not have brain. They keep changing tactics, including modifying the type of vehicles used.
Let them kill one another – less for Syria to deal with.
Could not find any confirmation about this elsewhere.
Therefore tend to think this is fake news. Bad reporting if it is indeed fake news.
In case of a real counterattack, this is really rather good news for SDF. IS forces out of their fortified positions will give SDF a chance to counter and spoil their attacks and break their lines on the heels of retreating IS.
But for the moment I consider it fake news.