“Raqqa is Free & PKK should leave“, a graffiti on a wall in Raqqa, By Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently
On May 31, a new wave of protests against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) erupted in the city of Raqqa, according to the Syrian pro-opposition blog Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. However, this time the protestors demanded the withdrawal of the SDF from the city.
Reportedly, the protests were mainly held in the district of al-Rumilah and near the police gas station. Syrian opposition activists said that the SDF’s security forces (Asayish) had clashed with the protestors and had opened fire at them.
The protests in Raqqa began on May 27, when Asayish attempted to arrest several young men after accusing them of evading the military service in the SDF. Back then, the civilians only protested against the forcible recruitment into ranks of the SDF.
Local observers believe that the situation in Raqqa may escalate in the upcoming days because the SDF appears to be determined to keep the Arab city under its direct control. Last year, the SDF promised that it will withdraw from Raqqa once it’s liberated from ISIS. However, this has never happened.
