This map shows the military situation in the Syrian province of Raqqah on February 22, 2017.
Click to see the full-size map
Military Situation In Raqqah Province On February 22, 2017 (Syria Map Update)
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2 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER
Apply more pressure and Palmyra front would collapse, this is great for SAA and co.
The fight around and Towards Raqqah is now isolated from Palmyra as all connections are cut. The bridges over the Euphrates between Tabqa dam and DeirezZor are cut qnd the northern road between Raqqah and DeirezZor is cut too.
So now Raqqah and surrounding area are cut of completely and the noose can be pulled. I think we will see SDF consolidating and inching towards Raqqah proper before an all out assault on Raqqah will start. It will also depend on what Trumps is advised and will decide next week.
My take on it is one or two american fire bases, maybe a mechanized batallion to be inserted, some more SOF and some (like twenty to thirty) tanks (likely T72’s out of Nato stock) and artillery for SDF.
As a sop, US will likely start bombing Al Bab again.
Operation “Euphreates! Now Your Screwed” That was a fast 2 day movement. I wonder if Improved Ribbon Bridge would work on this river. I know it worked across the more narrow Tigris for the Iraqis. Is this US engineer unit in N Syria?