Syrian Democratic Forces: The Battle for Raqqa Will Take Time

While reports from the battle of Raqqa indicate the siege of the Islamic State group in the center of this Syrian city, one of the commanders of the coalition-supported forces says that the complete capture of the city will take longer than initial estimates. Reuters reported on August 10, citing Hawal Jabar, one of the commanders of the People's Protection Units (YPG), the core of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), that "half of the old part of Raqqa has been liberated." This commander engaged in the fight against ISIS stated that they are attacking the Islamists from all directions, but "the end of the operation will take three or four more months." Reuters notes that these statements suggest that the initial estimates of the YPG regarding the liberation of Raqqa within a few weeks were incorrect. According to officials, ISIS fighters have delayed battles and the capture of the city by using snipers, car bombs, explosive traps, and preventing the exit of civilian citizens. The United Nations recently reported that up to 50,000 civilians are trapped amid the fighting and battles in Raqqa. Simultaneously, reports of civilian casualties, including among children, have emerged during airstrikes by the US-led coalition. The coalition's airstrikes primarily support local armed groups in ground battles against the Islamic State. "Chechen snipers, explosive traps" Reuters further quotes a spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces stating that one of the most important factors hindering advances in areas like northern Raqqa is the multitude of mines and explosive traps left behind. The spokesperson of the SDF says, "In the northern areas of Raqqa where ISIS is not present, our forces are still unable to approach them because the ISIS fighters have filled these areas with a multitude of explosives and mines." Meanwhile, the YPG command has specifically mentioned the danger posed by Chechen snipers who have come from Russia to Raqqa. One of these commanders states, "There are many snipers present, and they are doing well, especially the Chechens." Nevertheless, Hawal Jabar mentions that "several hundred" ISIS fighters have surrendered, and it is estimated that between several hundred to a thousand of them are still fighting against the SDF. This estimate is significantly more optimistic than previous assessments by the US-led coalition. Last week, Brett McGurk, the US representative in the coalition led by the US, stated that there are still two thousand ISIS fighters present in Raqqa. In this context, the footprint of ISIS in Kurdistan in seven acts, the death of five more Iranian military forces in Syria, "at least 29 civilians were killed in one day during coalition airstrikes in Raqqa". The US-led coalition denied attacking Iranian-backed militants. ISIS released another threatening video regarding "attacking Iran". The changing battlefield of "proxy forces"; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalization of Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. 1300 hours of internet outages; Witkoff: a horrific massacre occurred during the protests in Iran. Trump emphasizes "stopping executions in Iran": we do not know what will happen in the future. The account of three witnesses from the situation in Isfahan province; "like war-torn areas". Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, "it will be wiped off the face of the earth."