The so-called “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF), predominantly Kurdish YPG units backed up by the US-led coalition airpower, have retaken 5 villages from the ISIS terrorist group in the northern countryside of the ISIS self-proclaimed capital of al-Raqqah in Syria.
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“have retaken 5 villages from the ISIS terrorist group in the northern countryside”
Doesn’t seem like much movement over the last month or so. Not sure the US led group is going to be able to take Al-Raqqah. And I don’t see the US putting boots-on-the-ground to actually do the fighting. Maybe everyone is awaiting to see what President Trump wants to do about ISIS?
ISIS are spread very thinly over open country well outside the radius of their fixed defensive positions surrounding Raqqa. SDF can easily advance/over-run or bypass isolated lightly held villages. In fact any SDF mobile battlegroup with the US and French air and logistics support should reach the left (north) bank of the Euphrates in 72 hours no problem. It is true that this “Euphrates Rage ” offensive has been stalled for months in the northern sector at Tal Samoun while building up forces and maybe waiting for green light from US ? I don’t rule out the insertion of a US formed Task Force somwhere astride the Euphrates between Raqqa and Deir ez-Zour to create a NATO backed “Safe Zone ” , but this is pure speculation. Remember US has at least 400 troops in northern Syria right now , including logbase and airbases in Hasakah, plus elements 101 Abn in theater. Who can say ??