Since the start of the military operation in Northern Raqqa on May 24, the Syrian Democratic Forces have seized the villages of Ain Issa, Qartaj and Fatisah.
The mid-term goal of the Kurdish-led forces is the liberation of Tal as-Saman, located at the strategic crossroads North from the ISIS self-declared capital of Raqqa. Without this strategic point the SDF won’t be able to consolidate expected gainst in the area.
Does the SDF really posses the ability to siege Al-Raqqah?
The SDF, supported by the US-led coalition and US special op. troops on the ground, is able to take the areas north to the city. Are they able to take the city itslef? It’s a question. Maybe, yes.
I feel like Daesh will try to flank them from across the Tishreen dam, idk if it’s a smart move to leave so many fronts open.
ISIS is limited in maneuver because the Iraqi government has launched an operation in Fallujah
I agree that Daesh will have their hands full, but I think Fallujah is too isolated so Daesh forces’ will be limited to fighting there and their forces in Syria might still be able to conduct offensives. That’s solely my guess.
The SDF is in the best position to advance against ISIS.
1. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is bogged down fighting Nusra-Army of Islam/FSA around Aleppo AND ISIS in Homs while the SDF is pretty much able to concentrate just on ISIS. Thanks to the Russian S400’s they don’t have to worry about Turkey’s air force anymore.
2. ISIS seems more pre-occupied to hold onto the Hom’s area around Palmyra because it is more oil rich so they are really pounding it against the SAA.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that the SDF is fighting ISIS, its just that I think that they are cherry picking the high profile victory rather than doing something more useful like relieving the siege of Deir Ezzor. Obama wants his press release and Raqqa is a much more flashy win but Deir Ezzor would release SAA troops and help more people. This is all my opinion of course but I’d be interested in what others think.