Syrian Democratic Forces Launch Operation to Retake Raqqa

The Syrian Democratic Forces announced on Sunday, November 6, that they have begun an operation to retake the city of Raqqa in Syria, the capital of the Islamic State (ISIS). According to Reuters, the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the U.S., have named the operation to reclaim Raqqa 'Euphrates Rage.' This operation, which includes armed Kurdish and Arab groups in Syria, has commenced at a time when Iraqi forces are engaged in operations to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS. For over two weeks, the Iraqi army, along with the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region and Shiite militias, have been conducting operations to reclaim Mosul in northern Iraq, supported by airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition. According to Reuters, the operation to retake Raqqa will also receive U.S. air support. Earlier, General Stephen Townsend, commander of the U.S. Joint Operations Command, stated on October 27 that the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, would participate in isolating ISIS in Raqqa. Ashton Carter, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, also mentioned on October 25 that the international coalition led by the United States is preparing to retake Raqqa. According to Reuters, the U.S. refers to the Syrian Kurdish units as allies in the fight against ISIS, but Ankara labels this military force as a terrorist group due to its alleged links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The operation to reclaim Raqqa has begun while Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş stated on November 2 that Ankara wants to initiate operations against Raqqa after the liberation of Mosul. He added that from a military and strategic perspective, it is better to begin the attack on Raqqa after the liberation of Mosul and the 'Euphrates Shield' operation. Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on October 28 that in a recent phone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama, he informed him that Ankara-backed militia forces would advance towards Raqqa as part of their operations in northern Syria.