Syrian Militias Begin Operations with US Support Around Raqqa

Syrian militias, with the support of US airstrikes, launched a new operation against the Islamic State group near Raqqa, its self-proclaimed capital, on Tuesday, May 25. According to Reuters, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are the main partner of the US-led military coalition in the fight against ISIS, controlling large parts of northern and eastern Syria. One of the most important groups within the SDF is the People's Protection Units (YPG). The YPG managed to push ISIS back from parts of northern Syria last year and earlier, with the support of US-led airstrikes. However, their advance in these areas has now slowed. Reuters reports that there are still no signs of a comprehensive operation against the city of Raqqa. A Kurdish official contacted by the news agency declined to specify what targets were attacked in the latest operation. Syrian Kurdish groups had previously stated that the attack on the predominantly Arab city of Raqqa should be carried out by Arab groups. However, Syria experts say that the Arab members of the SDF are not yet prepared for such an attack. An unspecified number of fighters from this coalition were seen on Tuesday moving from their base in Tal Abyad near the border with Turkey towards Ain Issa, a town 60 kilometers west of Raqqa. Human rights observers in Syria, based in London, reported that clashes have been reported along this route. The ground operation on Tuesday was accompanied by a series of airstrikes from US-led coalition fighter jets. This attack follows a recent visit by General Joseph L. Votel, the commander of US Central Command, to northern Syria, marking the first visit by a senior US military commander to Syria since the onset of the country's popular uprisings in 2011. Raqqa is the provincial center of the same name, bordering Turkey to the north. Reports from US officials indicate that in recent months, the territory held by the Islamic State group has significantly decreased. The group is also separately targeted by the Syrian army and Russian air support.