Coordinates: 35.9500°N 39.

0100°E

Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)

The Raqqa campaign[88] (codenamed
Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)
Operation Wrath of Euphrates) was a
military operation launched in November 2016 Part of the Rojava–Islamist conflict and the American-
during the Rojava–Islamist conflict by the led intervention in the Syrian Civil War
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in
the Raqqa Governorate, with the goal of
isolating and eventually capturing the Islamic
State's capital city, Raqqa. The SDF's
subsidiary goals included capturing the Tabqa
Dam, the nearby city of al-Thawrah,[89] and
the Baath Dam further downstream.[90] The
campaign ended successfully in October 2017,
with the capture of Raqqa.

The offensive was concurrent with the Battle of

Sirte in Libya, the Battle of Mosul in Iraq, the
Battle of al-Bab in the Aleppo Governorate, the
Palmyra offensive, the reignition of fighting in
Deir ez-Zor's siege, the Central Syria
campaign, and the Mayadin offensive.

Contents
Background
Announcement
The offensive
Phase One: Isolating Raqqa from its Top: A map of the SDF advances in the Raqqa
northern hinterland
Governorate

Stalemate and preparation for the

Bottom: A map of the SDF advances inside of Raqqa
second phase
city itself
Phase Two: Isolating Raqqa from its
western countryside
Initial advances
Battle of Jabar
Battle for Jabar's surroundings
First week
Second week
Third week
Fourth week
Tabqa Dam raid and further
SDF advances in the north
Preparation for the third phase
 Phase Three: Isolating Raqqa from Date 6 November 2016 – 20 October 2017
its eastern countryside (11 months and 2 weeks)[11]
Pressing south
Location Raqqa Governorate and northern Deir
Capturing the eastern
ez-Zor Governorate, Syria
countryside
35.9500°N 39.0100°E
Opening of a new front
Advance to the Raqqa-Deir Result Decisive SDF / CJTF-OIR victory
Ezzor highway The SDF captures more than 236
Battle for al-Tabqa countryside and villages, hamlets and strategic hills,
other advances two water and power stations,[12][13]
Phase Four: Offensive directly north Tabqa Airbase,[14][15] Tabqa city,
of Raqqa city; Assault on Tabqa city
Tabqa Dam, and Baath Dam[16][17][18]
Resumption of Phase Four
The SDF comes within 5 km of the
Phase Five: Battle for Raqqa city
Islamic State's capital city of Raqqa,
Syrian Army offensive in southern in early February 2017[19]
Raqqa
The SDF enters Raqqa city on 6
Administration of captured territory June 2017, and completely captures
Civil administration
it on 17 October 2017
IDP camp and informal settlement
Territorial The SDF captures more than 7,400
Tensions and insurgency
changes square kilometres (2,900 sq mi) of
Gallery territory from ISIL during the first, second
See also and third phases of the campaign[20]
Notes Belligerents
References  Islamic State of Iraq
Bibliography Syrian and the Levant
Democratic Forces
External links Self Defence
Forces (HXP) [1]
Leftist/anarchist
Background volunteers[a]
CJTF–OIR
In late October 2016, the United States
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter called for an  United States
offensive on Raqqa to take place concurrent
 France[5]
with the Battle of Mosul in Iraq. He stated that
the US was cooperating with its allies in order  United Kingdom[6]
to launch an "isolation operation" around  Germany[7]
Raqqa. On 26 October, the President of Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the President of  Iraqi Kurdistan[8]
the United States Barack Obama and stated that
he did not want the People's Protection Units
Co-belligerents
(YPG) to participate in the planned operation,
Syrian Arab
and instead, planned to involve the Turkish
Armed Forces. The United Kingdom's Republic[9]
Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon  Russia[10]
rejected the idea of non-Arab forces taking part Commanders and leaders
in the offensive and demanded a purely Arab
Sipan Hemo
Abu Bakr al-
force.[91]
(YPG chief commander)[21] Baghdadi (WIA)

On the same day, the commander of the Rojda Felat

(Leader of ISIL)[29][30]

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation (Leading YPJ Abu Jandal al-
Inherent Resolve Lt. Gen. Stephen J. commander)[22][23][24] Kuwaiti †

Townsend stressed that the YPG-led Syrian Kino Gabriel

(Leading ISIL commander for
Democratic Forces was the only armed group
(MFS commander)[25] Raqqa defenses, c. 11–26
capable of capturing Raqqa in the near future.
Fayad Ghanim
December)[31][32]

Fewer US-led coalition troops were to be

involved than in the Battle of Mosul.[92] On 3 (Raqqa Hawks Brigade Abu Saraqeb al-
November, the commander of the Seljuk commander)[26] Maghribi

Brigade and SDF spokesman Col. Talal Silo Abu Issa

(Head of security in Al-
rejected the participation of Turkey in the (Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa chief Thawrah)[33]

operation.[93] commander) Abu Jandal al-

Muhedi Jayila
Masri[33]

After the start of the Battle of Mosul, many of

(Elite Forces commander)[27] (Chief of Information in Raqqa)

the 20,000 ISIL fighters estimated to be living

in Mosul[94] fled to Raqqa, boosting the ISIL Bandar al- Abu Muhammad al-
forces that were already present in their de facto Humaydi Jazrawi

capital city.[95] (Al-Sanadid Forces military (Chief of Al-Hisba secret

chief commander)[25] police[33]

Announcement Siyamend Welat

Mahmoud al-Isawi †

(HXP chief commander)[28] (ISIL propaganda chief)[34]

The SDF officially announced the start of the Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Abd al-Basit al-Iraqi †

operation on 6 November 2016, in the city of Townsend (ISIL commander of Middle

Ayn Issa.[96] The intention was to proceed in (CJTF–OIR chief commander) East external networks)[35]

two phases, first seizing areas around Raqqa For other anti-ISIL Zainuri Kamaruddin †

and isolating the city, advancing from three commanders, see order of (Katibah Nusantara
fronts, then taking control of the city itself.[97] battle commander)[36]

The SDF general command called for the

Abu Luqman

international coalition against ISIL to support

(ISIL governor of Raqqa)[37]

the operation.[98] Secretary of Defense Ash

For other ISIL
Carter welcomed the announcement.[99]
commanders, see order of
battle
The offensive
Units involved
See anti-ISIL forces order See ISIL order of battle
Phase One: Isolating Raqqa of battle
from its northern hinterland Strength

30,000–40,000 10,000–20,000+
SDF fighters[38][39][40] fighters[65][66][67][68][69]
(70% Arab acc. to the (estimate by Western SDF
SDF) [41] volunteers & some
experts)
Tal Saman, former ISIL headquarters 25,000 YPG &
in the northern Raqqa countryside, YPJ fighters[42] Raqqa city: c. 5,000
after being captured by the SDF fighters[70]
1,000 female Arab
Large number of
volunteers[43]
reinforcements from
Mosul and al-Bab[70]
On 6 November, the SDF captured six small 1,000 Raqqa 200 Iraqi
villages, Wahid, Umm Safa, Wasita, Haran, al- Hawks fighters[44] reinforcements[71]
Adriyah and Jurah, south and southeast of Ayn
650–3,500 Elite Unknown number of
Issa.[38] The Islamic State detonated four car
Forces child soldiers[72][73]
bombs on the first day of the offensive.[100]
fighters[45][46][47] Unknown number of UAVs
On 8 November, the SDF reported that they 2,000 Al-Sanadid (drones)[74]
had taken control of 11 villages near Ayn Issa, fighters[48]
and that the Islamic State forces used several
500 Deir Ezzor Military
car bombs against them.[101] By 11 November,
Council fighters[49]
the SDF had captured over a dozen villages
and the strategically significant town of Al- 200 Syriac Military
Hisbah, which had served as a local Council fighters[50]
headquarters and command center for 2,550 Manbij Military
ISIL.[102] On the next day, the SDF continued Council
to advance against ISIL in the area around Tal fighters[51][52][53]
Saman and Khnez, bringing the number of
captured farms and villages to 26.[103] 3,870 local pro-SDF
tribes and village
On 14 November, the SDF stated that 500 km2 militia[54][55][b]
has been captured, including 34 villages, 31
hamlets and seven strategic hills, and 167 500 HXP
Islamic State casualties had been inflicted.[25] soldiers[1]
The SDF had also begun to besiege Tal Saman, 503 USSOCOM
the largest village and ISIL headquarters north Soliders[58][59][60]
of Raqqa,[104] while ISIL launched a counter- 11th Marine
attack near Salok in the eastern countryside of Expeditionary Unit[61]
Raqqa Governorate in an attempt to force the Several Dozens of
SDF to split its forces and open a new Special Forces and
front.[105] On the next day, the SDF advanced military advisers[62][63]
into Tal Saman, resulting in a fierce battle with [64]
its ISIL defenders,[106] and captured 10 more
villages and farms.[107][108] By 19 November, Several Tupolev Tu-
the SDF had fully captured Tal Saman and had
95 bombers[10]
driven ISIL completely from the surrounding
countryside.[109][110] With this, the first phase Casualties and losses
of the offensive was considered complete.[111] 3,784+ killed and 38
1,100–1,200+ captured (SDF claim; up to 31
killed, 2,500+ wounded Aug. 2017, excluding July
Stalemate and preparation for (per US) [75][76]
2017)[c]

the second phase 793 killed, 1,685 [79]

wounded (per SDF)[11] 6,000 killed (US claim)
The second phase of the offensive aimed to 1 killed[77]
enforce a full blockade of the city of
Raqqa.[111] On 21 November, the SDF 1 killed [78]
captured two more villages,[112] while ISIL 2,385 civilians killed[80][81][82]
launched a counter-attack near Tal Saman. [113] 200,000 civilians displaced[83][84][85][86][87]
Over the next days, the SDF attempted to
further advance, such as at al-Qalita,[114] but was unable to break through ISIL's defense line south of Tal
Saman.[115] On 24 November, a US serviceman died from wounds he suffered after stepping on an
improvised explosive device near the town of Ayn Issa, to the north of Raqqa.
 On 25 November, ISIL received reinforcements from Iraq, among
them explosive experts and defected Iraqi Army personnel.[116] On
the next day, ISIL launched a counter-attack, retaking parts of
Qaltah village and a nearby water pump station, while the SDF
managed to advance in the village's vicinity.[117][118] Boubaker Al-
Hakim, an ISIL commander who was linked to the Charlie Hebdo
shooting, was reported to have been killed in an American airstrike
A United States Air Force airstrike
in Raqqa on 26 November.[119][120] Iraqi military however later
on an ISIL position to the north of stated in April 2017 that he might still be alive.[121]
Raqqa
On 27 November, the SDF announced the offensive's second phase
was due to start,[122] though this was then delayed. At least five
SDF fighters were killed in renewed clashes north of Raqqa on 29 November.[123] Meanwhile, ISIL
suffered from the defection of two senior commanders, who fled from Raqqa to join Jabhat Fateh al-Sham
in Idlib.[124] On 4 December, a coalition drone strike in Raqqa killed two ISIL leaders who had helped
facilitate the November 2015 Paris attacks and another who was involved in a foiled suicide attack in
Belgium in 2015.[119][125] Three days later, co-Chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Salih Muslim
said that the first phase to surround Raqqa was almost over, while a new Arab brigade consisting of more
than 1,000 men and women from the Raqqa area had joined the SDF as part of the second phase which
was slated to be launched on 10 December.[126] More than 1,500 Arab fighters who were trained and
equipped by the anti-ISIL coalition joined the SDF for the second phase on its launch day.[127]

Phase Two: Isolating Raqqa from its western countryside

Initial advances

The SDF launched the second phase on 10 December, with the aim
of capturing the northwestern and western countryside of Raqqa
and ultimately reaching and securing the Tabqa Dam. The same
day, it was announced that Arab SDF groups, consisting of the
Elite Forces, Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa and the newly formed Deir
Ezzor Military Council would be taking part. During the first day,
SDF fighters northwest of Raqqa the SDF began to advance south of the Tishrin Dam and captured
after the start of the offensive's al-Kiradi village.[128][129] The United States announced that it
second phase. would send 200 more troops to assist the SDF.[58] The next day,
the SDF captured seven more villages from ISIL.[130][131] On 12
December, the SDF captured four villages as well as many hamlets
south of Tishrin Dam. [132][133][131] The SDF captured five villages during the next two days.[134][135][136]
On 15 December, the SDF captured three villages, taking the total number of villages captured by them in
the second phase to 20.[137]

Over the next four days, the SDF captured 20 more villages and finally reaching Lake Assad, thereby
cutting off and besieging 54 ISIL-held villages to the west. In response to these territorial losses, ISIL
began to carry out more suicide attacks against both the SDF as well as civilian targets within SDF-
controlled areas in an attempt to hinder the offensive.[138][139][140][141][142] On 19 December, ISIL
launched a counter-attack to regain four villages in the northwestern countryside,[143] but the attack was
repelled after a few hours.[144] The SDF declared that they had captured 97 villages overall during the
second phase, and had begun to advance against Qal'at Ja'bar.[145]
Battle of Jabar

On 21 December, the SDF seized Jabar,[146] which served as the

main weaponry storage and supply centre for ISIL in the
northwestern countryside.[147] The coalition then began to move
toward Suwaydiya Saghirah and Suwaydiya Kabir, the last villages
before Tabqa Dam.[148] Even though an ISIL counter-attack
managed to retake Jabar village soon after,[149] the SDF attacked
again on 23 December, and once again took control of it, while also
Dead ISIL fighters near Mahmudli
capturing another village.[150] This prompted ISIL to launch yet
another counter-attack later that day, which was accompanied by
several suicide car bombs. [151][152][153] As a result, heavy clashes took place between them and SDF
fighters in several villages along the frontline that lasted until the early morning of 24 December. The ISIL
forces were eventually forced to withdraw after the SDF first shelled and then stormed their positions,
whereupon the latter took control of most of Jabar as well as two more villages,[154][155][156] though some
ISIL holdouts persisted in Jabar.[147]

ISIL was pushed out of the neighboring, strategic village of Eastern Jabar on the next day, bringing the
SDF within 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of Tabqa Dam,[157][158] and by 26 December, the SDF had finally fully
secured the main Jabar village, with the last ISIL defenders being expelled after heavy fighting.[147] An
ISIL counterattack on the village later that day failed,[32][159] with a US airstrike killing Abu Jandal al-
Kuwaiti as he commanded the assault. Al-Kuwaiti, also known as Abdulmuhsin al-Zaghelan al-Tarish, was
a high-ranking ISIL commander leading the defense of the whole Raqqa region against the SDF.[32][31]
Meanwhile, the Amaq News Agency declared that Iman Na'im Tandil (nom de guerre: Abu 'Umar Al-
Hindi), one of the few Indian ISIL fighters active in Syria, had also been killed during the fighting near
Jabar. The Islamic State's official media wing later also officially paid tribute to Iman.[160]

Battle for Jabar's surroundings

First week

On 27 December, ISIL launched an attack on the village of Secol

in the northern countryside, reportedly breaching the local SDF
defences.[161] On the next day, the SDF reportedly captured Hadaj
village after two days of heavy fighting, while another ISIL
counter-attack against Jabar was repelled.[162] Mahmud al-Isawi, a A YPG BMP, loaded on a truck,
senior ISIL manager of finances for the group's leaders who also being transported to the frontline near
worked in propaganda and intelligence-gathering, was killed on 31 Mahmudli on 4 January
December in a US-led coalition airstrike on Raqqa.[163] After three
days of heavy fighting, the SDF captured all or most of Mahmudli,
the largest town of the Al-Jarniyah Subdistrict, on 1 January 2017. ISIL counterattacked later in an attempt
to regain the town.[164][165] The SDF leadership said that in the clashes since the launch of the second
phase they had captured 110 villages, killed 277 ISIL fighters, and captured 13.[166]

Also, on January 1, 2017, the SDF resumed its offensive on the northern front, advancing 6 km south of
Tell Saman against ISIL positions.[13][167] The SDF captured nine more villages in this area within the next
three days.[168][169][170][171][172] Meanwhile, with the SDF edging closer to Raqqa, ISIL further restricted
Internet access and increased surveillance over Internet users in Raqqa. There were harsh punishments for
accessing anti-ISIL websites, with a new special unit within the ISIL's security office searching for
offenders. Several online activists in Raqqa were captured and tortured or executed.[173]
Second week

Another two villages and hamlets were captured by the SDF on 5 January 2017.[174]

The SDF captured Qal'at Ja'bar (Ja'bar Castle) from ISIL on 6

January.[176][177] The same day, ISIL was reported to have moved
its 150 prisoners from Tabqa city due to the offensive.[178] The
SDF later captured eight villages and five hamlets at the Ayn Issa
front.[179] On 7 January, the SDF captured five villages including
the strategic Suwaydiya Gharbi[180][181] and Suwaydiya Saghirah,
reaching the outskirts of Tabqa Dam.[182] ISIL recaptured
SDF fighters examine Qal'at Ja'bar.
Suwaydiya Saghirah by the next day after a counterattack, while a
ISIL had built tunnels and weapons
local leader of the group was killed in clashes.[183] Meanwhile,
depots into the medieval castle.[175]
ISIL was reported to have withdrawn 150 of its fighters towards
Raqqa city.[184]

On 8 January 2017, US special forces raided the village of Al-Kubar, between Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor,
killing at least 25 ISIL militants in the two-hour operation.[185] It was believed that the goal of the US may
have been to rescue hostages from an ISIL secret prison in the village. After the raid, ISIL forces cut off
access to the village.[185]

On 9 January, the SDF captured another village, along with three hamlets.[186]

Third week

On 10 January, ISIL launched a large-scale counter-attack at the Jabar frontline and reportedly recaptured
several sites;[187] with pro-Free Syrian Army sources claiming Qal'at Ja'bar and the village of Jabar were
among these.[188] ISIL consequently released photos of dead SDF fighters, while claiming that over 70 of
them had been killed in the counter-attack.[189] However, the SDF was reported to still be in control of
Jabar village and Qalat Jabar a few days later.[190][191]

An ISIL attack on Jib Shair village, trying to resist SDF advances from the north, was repelled on the next
day, after which the SDF advanced and captured six hamlets around it.[192] The SDF later announced that
their forces advancing from the Ayn Issa front and on the Qadiriya front linked up in Kurmanju village after
capturing several villages over the past few days,[193] besieging a large pocket of about 45 villages and 20
hamlets.[194] All of them were captured by the next day, resulting in the alliance gaining about 460 square
kilometres (180 sq mi) of land.[195] Another village was captured by the SDF on 13 January.[196][197] On
15 January, the SDF progressed to Suwaydiya Kabir village,[198] while ISIL launched a large-scale
counter-attack against Mahmudli and a nearby village, resulting in clashes within these settlements.[199]
The attack was repelled after several hours of fighting.[200] The SDF captured three villages during the
day,[201] while Suwaydiya Saghirah was also reported to be under its control again.[202]

Fourth week

On 17 January 2017, 28 Arab tribes from Raqqa announced their support for the offensive and encouraged
locals to join the SDF.[203][204]

The SDF attacked Suwaydiya Kabir on the next day, leading to heavy clashes in the village.[205]
Meanwhile, it was announced that about 2,500 local fighters had joined the offensive since it began.[206]
On 19 January, ISIL launched a counter-attack against Suwaydiya Saghirah, supported by mortars and
heavy machine guns, killing or wounding several YPG fighters.[207][208] Despite this, the SDF made
further progress on the next day, capturing a village and advancing against many other ISIL-held
villages.[209] The SDF again attacked Suwaydiya Kabir on 20 January, reaching the outskirts of the village,
and captured it on 22 January after heavy clashes, with the support of U.S. special forces.[210][211]

Tabqa Dam raid and further SDF advances in the north

In late January 2017, it was reported that a number of ISIL militants

were hiding inside the structure of the Tabqa Dam, including senior
militant leaders who used to be "very important prisoners" wanted
by the US and several other countries, in order to deter a possible
US-led coalition strike on them.

On 23 January, the SDF began to advance on the Tabqa Dam,

The Tabqa Dam in 2014
spurring ISIL to open its turbines to raise the Euphrates River's
water levels. This was seen as an attempt to hinder the progress of
the Kurdish-led forces and a scare tactic,[212] and caused the water level of the Euphrates to rise to its
highest level in 20 years, leading to record flooding downstream.[213] By 24 January, the SDF managed to
capture parts of the town, and they began to work towards the Tabqa Dam's control rooms, at the southern
part of the dam, in an attempt to stop the massive outflow of water released by ISIL. However, the entrance
to the dam's control rooms was too well defended, and with the continued threat of disastrous flooding
downstream, SDF and the US forces withdrew from both the Tabqa Dam and the town of Al-Thawrah,
after which ISIL closed the dam's turbines again.[213]

Over the next three days, ISIL repeatedly launched fierce counter-attacks against SDF positions in the
western and northern countryside.[214][215][216] ISIL managed to retake ground in the area around the
dam,[217] but the attack was later repelled.[218]

Preparation for the third phase

On 31 January 2017, the SDF received a number of armoured

personnel carriers supplied by the US. The SDF spokesman stated
that preparations for a new phase of the operation were continuing
and the operation would begin in "a few days".[219] Meanwhile,
the leader of the SDF-aligned Syria's Tomorrow Movement and its
paramilitary wing, Ahmad Jarba, announced that 3,000 Arab
fighters under his command were training with US special forces to
An SDF IAG Guardian armoured
be deployed in the battle for Raqqa against ISIL.[45]
personnel carrier in February 2017,
one of several APCs that were
On the night of 2–3 February, intense CJTF–OIR airstrikes targeted
supplied by the United States to the
several bridges in or near Raqqa city, destroying them as well as the
SDF
local water pipelines, leaving the city without drinking water.
Meanwhile, the SDF advanced against the village of Qaltah in the
northern countryside,[220] which the coalition had already
unsuccessfully attacked in November.[117] ISIL maintenance crews managed to fix the pipelines during 3
February, restoring Raqqa's water supply.[221][222] On 3 February, 251 Arab fighters in Hasaka completed
their training and joined the SDF.[223]

Phase Three: Isolating Raqqa from its eastern countryside

Pressing south

On 4 February, the SDF announced the offensive's third phase,

aiming at capturing Raqqa's eastern countryside, and to separate
Raqqa city from ISIL forces in Deir ez-Zor, though operations in
the west and north would continue simultaneously.[224] The SDF
captured a village and three hamlets to the northeast of Raqqa later
that day, with clashes being reported at al-Qaltah and Bir Said.[225]
On the next day, the Kurdish-led forces captured another two
YPG and YPJ fighters in combat villages along with a hamlet and two farms, and besieged Bir
Said,[226][227] while especially intense airstrikes hit several ISIL
targets in Al-Thawrah.[228] Bir Said, along with another village,
was eventually captured by the SDF on 6 February.[229][230][231] In addition to these villages, the SDF
also captured another five villages on two fronts.[232] The SDF made further progress, capturing three more
villages on 7 February.[233] In early February 2017, US-led coalition airstrikes destroyed much of the Deir
ez-Zor-Raqqa highway, reducing it to a single-file gravel road in some spots, with the SDF patrolling other
areas with minefields, in order to prevent ISIL from reinforcing Raqqa city.[213] By this point, almost all of
the five bridges leading to Raqqa had been destroyed either by the US-led coalition or by ISIL, with the
only exceptions being the Tabqa Dam and the Baath Dam, both west of Raqqa city.[234]

As these advances continued, ISIL responded by launching several unsuccessful counter-attacks against
Suwaydiya Kabir and other strategic territories captured by the SDF.[235][236] On 8 and 9 February, the
SDF advanced at the northern and northeastern frontline, capturing several villages and besieging Mizella,
a major strategic ISIL stronghold in the northern countryside. The advance put them within 11 kilometres
(6.8 mi) of Raqqa.[237][238][239][240][241] The SDF captured Mizella the next day.[41][242] The two fronts
of the alliance converged on 11 February as it also captured two villages and wheat silos to the north of
Raqqa during the day;[243][244] the next day, the SDF attempted to cross the Balikh River northeast of
Raqqa, leading to heavy fighting with local ISIL defenders.[245] On 12 February, a large-scale counter-
attack by ISIL reportedly succeeded in retaking Suwaydiya Kabir and four other nearby villages.[246][247]
Another counterattack was carried out by ISIL to the northeast of Raqqa where the SDF had advanced to,
leading to heavy clashes between both sides.[248] Clashes continued over the next few days.[249]

Capturing the eastern countryside

On 17 February 2017, the SDF announced the launch of the

second stage of the third phase, aimed at capturing the eastern
countryside of Raqqa near Deir ez-Zor, with the Deir Ezzor
Military Council leading the operation.[250] On the same day the
SDF captured two villages from ISIL to the north of Deir ez-Zor
and came within 6 kilometres (3.7  mi) of the northeast of
A destroyed bridge over the
Raqqa,[251] while the Russian Air Force conducted airstrikes on
Euphrates in Deir ez-Zor
ISIL forces in Raqqa city for the second time since its entry into the
Governorate. As a result of the
war.[10] The next day, the SDF captured another village to the
CJTF–OIR bombing campaign, as
southwest of the Makman front (north of Deir ez-Zor) as well as well as ISIL detonations, most
another near Raqqa.[252][253] On 18 February, the SDF stormed a bridges across the river were
prison a few kilometres northeast of Raqqa, freeing some of the destroyed.
inmates.[254] They later captured three villages in Deir ez-Zor's
northern countryside.[255] On 20 February, they captured four
villages on the Makmen front, including the strategic village of Sebah al-Xêr as well as a base station of
Syriatel, thus cutting off the road between Makman and Raqqa and besieging three ISIL-held villages.
Furthermore, the SDF took control of a significant bridge over the Balikh River on the western
front.[256][257][258][259][260][261]

On 21 February, the SDF captured two villages on the Makman front and another one near
Raqqa.[262][263][264] ISIL later again assaulted Suwaydiya Kabir, attacking it from three fronts, leading to
heavy fighting around it.[265] The SDF continued advancing in the eastern countryside of Raqqa on 22
February, capturing three villages, and merging the two fronts at Makman and Bir Hebe. A YPJ
commander declared that the SDF had cut the road to Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.[266][267][268] The SDF
stated that it had entered Deir ez-Zor Governorate for the first time in the offensive.[269] On the next day,
they captured six villages and sixteen hamlets.[270]

Opening of a new front

On 24 February, the SDF captured four villages in the Makman front and another three in a fourth front to
the northeast of Deir ez-Zor.[271][272] They captured the strategic Abu Khashab village later that day.[273]
On 25 February, they captured another three villages on the fourth front.[274][275]

On 26 February, a US airstrike near Tabqa Dam destroyed a former government facility which was being
used as a headquarters by ISIL. The airstrike's proximity to the dam's structure led to fears that the dam
could potentially be destabilized or destroyed during the fighting.[275] Later that day, it was reported that
the SDF had captured the village of Al-Kubar, on the northern bank of the Euphrates in the Deir ez-Zor
countryside, further tightening the siege on Raqqa.[276] On 28 February, it was reported that the US-led
coalition had completely destroyed the Tabqa Airbase in an airstrike.[277]

On 27 February, the plan that the Pentagon submitted to US President Donald Trump to significantly speed
up the fight against ISIL included a significant increase in US participation in the Raqqa campaign, with the
possibility of the US increasing its ground presence on the Raqqa front to 4,000–5,000 troops.[278]

Advance to the Raqqa-Deir Ezzor highway

The offensive resumed on 5 March, with the SDF capturing at least

seven villages and 15 hamlets to the northeast of the Euphrates
River, east of Raqqa. The offensive had previously been paused
due to bad weather, according to the SDF.[279][280][281] The area
captured by the SDF on that day was about 19 square kilometers,
and about 32 ISIL militants were killed in the clashes.[282] After
YPG/SDF fighters on the bank of the further advances on 6 March, the SDF cut the highway between
Euphrates east of Raqqa Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, which was the last road out of the
city,[283][284] and reached the Euphrates River.[285] The SDF
captured six villages, the Al-Kubar Military Base (a former nuclear
facility), and the Zalabiye Bridge, during the day.[286][287] On 8 March, the SDF took control of the
strategic West Menxer hill in the eastern countryside,[288] while elements of the US 11th Marine
Expeditionary Unit were deployed to northern Syria, bringing with them an artillery battery of M777
howitzers to support the attack on Raqqa.[61] Meanwhile, about 150 ISIL militants from Hama and Deir ez-
Zor managed to reinforce Raqqa, by crossing the Euphrates, despite the partial siege that had been imposed
by the SDF on the city.[289]
On 9 March, SDF captured the strategic East Menxer hill and captured three villages on two different
fronts. Two villages, including Kubar, were captured on the front to the far east of Raqqa, and one near
Raqqa.[290][291][292] 244 Arab fighters from the Raqqa countryside also joined the SDF during the day, for
the protection of the people in the region.[293] On the next day, the SDF advancing from the Abu Khashab
front captured three villages, including two near Kubar.[294][295][296] On 12 March, the SDF captured
Khas Ujayl village, to the southeast of Raqqa, on the Abu Khashab front,[297][298] while ISIL continued to
launch repeated counterattacks in the area, in an attempt to check the SDF advances.[299] Meanwhile, 230
ISIL fighters entered Raqqa to reinforce the city.[299][300]

On 14 March, the SDF captured the Khass Hibal village, as well as the Al-Kulayb grain silos, along the
Raqqa-Deir Ezzor highway.[301] An SDF spokeswoman stated that Raqqa had been isolated. The advance
of the SDF put them in control of the land region used by ISIL to connect to their territories in the east,
stretching from al-Kubar to the northern bank of the Euphrates and measuring 30 kilometres (19 mi).[302]
The SDF captured the Hamad Asaf silos and al-Qulayb village the next day.[303] Hamad Assaf was also
reportedly captured.[304] On 17 March, a YPG commander stated that the SDF planned to storm Raqqa
city in April 2017, and that the YPG would be participating in the attack, despite the fierce opposition from
the Turkish government. However, Pentagon Spokesman Jeff Davis denied that any decision had been
made regarding when and how an assault on Raqqa city would be carried out.[305] Meanwhile, clashes
continued to take place around Khas Ujayl.[306][307]

Heavy clashes took place in the town of al-Karama, to the east of

Raqqa, on 19 March.[308][309] On the next day, SDF captured al-
Karama, along with Jarqa village as well as a train station and
water pumping station nearby.[310][311][312][313] On 21 March, it
was reported again that the SDF had captured Hamad Assaf in the
eastern countryside from the Abu Khashab front.[314][315] Another
village was captured on 22 March from the Abu Khashab
front.[316][315] Meanwhile, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights The town of al-Karama, after the
(SOHR) and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RIBSS) stated SDF had captured it from ISIL
that coalition airstrikes hit a school being used as a shelter for
displaced people in a village to the west of Raqqa on 20 March.
SOHR stated that 33 civilians were killed in the airstrikes while RIBSS stated that it was unknown what
happened to 50 families who were there.[317] The SDF continued advancing in the eastern Raqqa
countryside on 23 March, capturing two more villages on the Abu Khashab front, allowing them to capture
a small ISIL pocket.[318][319][320] On 24 March, the SDF took control of two more villages in the eastern
countryside of Raqqa.[321][322]

Battle for al-Tabqa countryside and other advances

On 22 March, the SDF began an assault to capture the Tabqa Dam,

SDF fighters near Tabqa Dam on 27
March
captured in the attack, including Abu Hurayrah, al-Mushayirafah, al-Krain, and al-Jameen. The SDF
al-Thawrah (Tabqa) city, and its airbase. Five hundred SDF fighters
and five hundred US Special Forces from CJTF–OIR were airlifted
by helicopters of the United States military, across the Euphrates
River and Lake Assad, and were dropped on the Shurfa Peninsula
to the west of Al-Thawrah. The attack was supported by artillery
support from United States Marines, as well as air
support.[323][324][325][326] SDF and US forces also landed on the
Jazirat al-'Ayd Island (or Peninsula) to the west of Tabqa Dam,
capturing it as well.[327] Four villages southwest of Tabqa were
advanced towards the town of Al-Thawrah, where fliers were dropped, asking residents to stay indoors and
avoid clashing against ISIL for now. These fliers were also dropped on Raqqa city.[328] An anti-ISIL
coalition spokesman announced that the advance had cut off the highway linking the Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor,
and Raqqa Governorates. He added that around 75–80% of the attacking force consisted of Arab fighters,
with the rest being Kurds. The SDF stated that the advance was also meant to block any advance on Raqqa
by the Syrian Arab Army from the west.[329]

On the same day, SDF and US forces stormed the Tabqa Dam,
triggering "intense" clashes with ISIL forces. US officials stated
that it may take several weeks to capture Tabqa Dam, Al-Thawrah
city, and the surrounding countryside from ISIL.[330][331]
Airstrikes by the coalition on Tabqa city were reported to have
killed about 25 civilians.[332] On 23 March, some early reports
circulated that the SDF had captured Tabqa Dam from ISIL, after
clashing with ISIL forces for a few hours.[333][334][8] However, Refugees from al-Thawrah (Tabqa)
these reports were unconfirmed by other sources, with neither the city, who had fled from the fighting
SDF or CENTCOM confirming the capture of Tabqa Dam, and between the SDF and ISIL
Rudaw reported that the SDF was still preparing to capture
it.[333][335] SDF spokesman Talal Silo stated during the day that
they were still advancing on the dam and the city and expected to attack the dam soon.[336] ISIL's Amaq
News Agency later denied that the SDF had captured the dam.[337]

On 24 March, SDF spokeswoman Jihan Sheikh Ahmed announced that they had reached the Tabqa Dam,
and were fighting ISIL at its entrance.[338] The assault on the dam was spearheaded by SDF fighters who
were backed by United States Special Operation Forces. According to early reports, the SDF and its allies
had taken its outer perimeter, with the battle ongoing for its middle.[339] On the same day, it was also
reported that the SDF had captured 8 villages to the southwest of Al-Thawrah.[340] On the same day, the
SDF advanced on Al-Tabqa Airbase, setting off clashes in the vicinity.[341] Amaq meanwhile claimed SDF
had withdrawn from the dam.[342]

On 26 March, the SDF captured 2 villages to the east of Al-Thawrah. It was also reported that ISIL was
shelling the surroundings of Tabqa Dam with heavy weaponry.[343][344] On the same day, ISIL claimed
that Tabqa Dam was on the verge of collapse and that all the floodgates were closed. The dam was reported
to have become inoperable, which ISIL claimed was due to Coalition bombing and artillery strikes, though
the SOHR stated that the actual reasons were unknown, adding that ISIL still held its main building and
turbines.[345][346] SDF however denied that it had been hit, while RIBSS (Raqqa is Silently Being
Slaughtered) stated that ISIL was informing fleeing civilians that the dam was safe.[347] Additionally, the
US-led Coalition stated that the Tabqa Dam was structurally sound, and that the dam had not been targeted
by any airstrikes. They also stated that the SDF controlled an emergency spillway at the northern part of the
dam, which could be used in the event of an emergency.[348] On the same day, SDF spokesman Talal Silo
announced that SDF had stormed the Tabqa military airport, and had taken sixty to seventy percent of
it.[349] They later announced that they had completely captured the Al-Tabqa Airbase, following a 24-hour
battle.[14][350][15] ISIL forces stationed at Al-Tabqa Airbase were reported to have withdrawn northward,
to Al-Thawrah city. Additionally, the SDF captured 2 villages near the airbase during the advance.[350][351]

Late on 26 March, it was reported that the SDF had taken full control of Tabqa Dam, and that repairs on
the dam by Coalition engineers had begun.[352][353] A day later however SDF announced they were
temporarily pausing their offensive for the dam.[354][355][356] Later in the day, a spokeswoman of the SDF
announced that engineers who had been permitted to check the dam and its operations did not find it was
damaged or malfunctioning.[357] SDF also captured 2 villages to the west of Raqqa on the same
day.[358][359][360] It resumed the offensive against ISIL at the Tabqa Dam on 28 March.[361] Syrian
 engineers worked on the dam during a pause in the fighting to open
spillways and ease the pressure on the dam. Its southern reaches
were reported to be under ISIL control. ISIL claimed that the
maintenance team was killed in airstrikes by the anti-ISIL coalition
while the SOHR stated that it had learned that the engineer
administering the dam had been killed in airstrikes along with a
technician. It also stated that the group had sent 900 fighters from
A boat carrying SDF fighters across Raqqa to fight against the SDF advance.[362]
Lake Assad on 9 April 2017
On 29 March, the SDF cut the road between Al-Thawrah (Tabqa)
city and Raqqa. The SDF stated that ISIL had shelled the Tabqa
Dam during the day, causing repair work to be temporarily paused.[363][364] On 31 March, the SDF
attacked the town of al-Safsafah, to the east of al-Thawrah, in an attempt to besiege the city.[365][366] On
the same day, the Ajeel tribe of Raqqa announced its support for the SDF's Raqqa campaign and sent 150
fighters.[367] Meanwhile, leaflets were dropped on the city calling on ISIL to surrender.[368] Clashes
continued in the countryside of Tabqa on next day as both sides attempted to advance.[369]

The SDF and some activists stated on 2 April that it had repelled a
major ISIL counterattack to the northeast of Tabqa city, near the
Tabqa Dam and near the Tabqa airbase. They also continued to
advance in villages to the east of Tabqa city.[370] On the same day,
it was reported that SDF had completely besieged Al-Thawrah
(Tabqa) city, with Kurdish activists stating that 2 SDF units linked
up to the east of the city.[371][372] SOHR, however, stated that they
were still trying to besiege the city.[373] SDF fighters continued IRPGF fighters crossing Lake Assad
battling for Safsafah and Ibad, on the next day, to fully encircle by boat
Tabqa. [374][375] On 3 April, it was reported that ISIL was possibly
in the process of moving its capital from Raqqa city to Mayadin, in
the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. This followed months of gradual relocation of resources and senior ISIL
leaders from Raqqa to Mayadin.[376] SDF entered and besieged Safsafah on 5 April, thus also besieging
Tabqa city while claiming that it had also taken control of a major part of Safsafah.[377] The village was
captured by the next day, resulting in SDF completely encircling Tabqa city.[378][379]

On 6 April 2017, US Special Forces carried out a raid near the city of Mayadin, in the Deir ez-Zor
Governorate, killing Abdul Rahman al-Uzbeki, a high-ranking ISIL commander who was believed to have
masterminded the 2017 Istanbul New Year terror attack.[380]

The SDF captured Ibad village, to the east of Safsafah, on 9 April, further expanding their control in
eastern countryside of Tabqa, while more than 25 ISIL fighters were killed in the clashes.[381][382] ISIL
also launched unsuccessful counterattacks on Safsafah,[383] while also attacking Al-Tabqa Airbase.[384]
The SDF captured another village near Tabqa on the next day.[385]

On 11 April, the US-led Coalition reported that the SDF had captured 60% of Tabqa Dam, and that they
were "very close" to liberating the dam.[386][387] On 13 April, the United States military stated that CJTF–
OIR had bombed a SDF fighting position near Tabqa as it was misidentified as belonging to ISIL. It added
that the airstrikes resulted in deaths of 18 SDF fighters.[388]

Phase Four: Offensive directly north of Raqqa city; Assault on Tabqa city
On 13 April, the SDF announced the launch of
the fourth phase of the campaign. The new phase
would involve capturing the entire area directly
north of Raqqa city, including the Jalab valley, as
well as further strengthening the siege of Raqqa
city.[389][390] The advancements may involve
capturing the southern countryside of Raqqa as
well, since the SDF stated that they plan to fully
isolate the city before launching an attack on
it.[391][389] A plan to attack Raqqa city itself was
also scheduled to for April 2017, but it was
postponed due to the Battle of Tabqa.[392] SDF Map of the progress of the Battle of Tabqa
was reported to have captured a village in the
northern countryside of Raqqa on the same
day.[393]

SOHR stated early on 15 April that the SDF had advanced to the edge of Tabqa, and was within hundreds
of meters of the city.[394] Later, SDF captured the village of Ayad al-Saghir near Tabqa and stormed the
city itself, capturing the Alexandria suburb and bringing about 15% of the city under their
control.[395][396][397] They also cleared the Mushayrifah village near Tabqa, killing 27 ISIL
fighters.[398][399]

On 17 April, the SDF captured three villages in the northern

countryside of Raqqa, and four hamlets.[400][401][402] On the same
day, the Manbij Military Council announced that 200 of its fighters
would participate in the battle for Tabqa, with a total of
350.[403][52] SDF advanced in Tabqa city again on 17 and 18
April, also capturing an ISIL radio station.[404][405][406] On 19
April, SDF captured 4 villages near Raqqa as well as other
An IRPGF fighter during the Battle areas.[407][408] On 20 April, they captured at least six villages to
for Tabqa city north of Raqqa.[409][410][411] More villages and areas were
captured by the SDF north of Raqqa on 21 and 22 April, including
Hazima and Mazrat Tishrin.[412][413][414][415] Meanwhile, it was
reported that ISIL had essentially moved its capital to Mayadin, in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, and that
ISIL had centered its forces in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, thus transforming Mayadin into a "secondary
capital city" for ISIL.[416][380] On 24 April, the SDF captured the ISIL pocket to the north of Raqqa city,
allowing them to gain control of 13 villages.[417]

By 25 April, the SDF captured the Wahab district of Tabqa city, during a large advance in its southern and
western flanks, which increased SDF control of the city to 40%. The SDF also destroyed an ISIL cell in
Jazirat al-Ayd, allowing them to completely secure the island.[418][419][420] Meanwhile, the two SDF fronts
north of Raqqa were reported to have joined up, following the capture of a number of villages in a former
ISIL pocket.[421][417] The SDF also announced that it had captured the northern part of Julab Valley.[422]
They announced on 28 April that they had captured the Nababila and Zahra districts of Tabqa city.[423]
Meanwhile, the YPG also threatened to withdraw from the operation to capture Raqqa, if the United States
didn't take measures to stop Turkey's attacks against the group.[424]

SDF advanced in Tabqa city again on 30 April. They stated that they had captured six more districts, and
that ISIL only controlled the northern part of the city near Tabqa Dam.[425] SOHR stated that SDF
controlled at least 40% of the city, including more than half of the Old City area.[426] Later on the same
day, it was reported that the SDF had captured at least 60% of the city.[427] On the next day SDF stated that
 it had completely captured the Old City area, leaving ISIL in
control of only the newer areas of the town alongside the dam.
SOHR stated that they controlled about 80% of the city.[428]

On 2 May SDF stated that it had captured about 90 percent of the

town[429] amid reports of negotiations between Kurdish fighters
and ISIL to allow the latter to withdraw from the remaining areas
A SDF fighter stands in a destroyed under its control.[430] By 3 May, SDF had almost captured the
area of Tabqa city. whole city except a small northern area and district near the
dam.[431][432] ISIL also carried out counterattacks in and near
Tabqa.[431][433] It was later reported that a deal had been reached
to allow remaining ISIL fighters to withdraw from the city as well as the dam.[432][434] SDF and its
commanders however denied any deal had been reached, adding that clashes were still ongoing against
ISIL in a village near Tabqa and the three northern districts of the town including some militants who were
hiding among civilians.[435][436] Also on 3 May, a new batch of 110 fighters of the Elite Forces graduated
after training in Al-Hasakah. The fighters are scheduled to participate in the Raqqa campaign.[437]

On 8 May 2017, 100 Arab fighters from northern Raqqa started

training to join the YPG, for the Raqqa offensive, with training set
to conclude at the end of the month.[438] Also on 8 May, SDF
announced that they had captured the First Quarter district of Tabqa
city that connects the three newer districts of the town to the
dam.[439] The advance cutoff the two remaining suburbs under
ISIL control from the dam. In addition, SDF also captured the
Watani hospital.[440][441][442] It was also reported that SDF had SDF fighters raise their flag in Tabqa.
captured the village of Sahel al-Khashab. [443][444] SOHR reported
that although some Syrian ISIL fighters had withdrawn under a
deal allowing SDF to take control of the whole town, other fighters who were mostly non-Syrian refused to
withdraw and were clashing with SDF as well as waging a guerilla-style battle.[445] On 9 May, the SDF
made a press statement announcing the relaunch of the fourth phase of the campaign after a 15-day
suspension.[446] The following day, the SDF as well as SOHR announced that the alliance had completely
captured the town as well as the dam.[447][16]

Resumption of Phase Four

The SDF announced that they had resumed the fourth phase of the campaign on 10 May.[448] On the next
day, it was reported that the SDF had captured two to three villages to the north of Raqqa city.[449] Later,
they captured another village north of Raqqa.[450][451] An ISIL counter-attack on Tabqa city was
meanwhile repelled.[452] On 12 May, 2 villages in the northern countryside along with a cotton mill were
captured. Kurdish news agencies also stated that SDF had captured a local ruling party headquarters as well
as prison used by the militants.[453][454][455][456] By 14 May, SDF captured three to four villages to the
north of Raqqa.[457][458][459] About seven to eight villages were captured by SDF in the region till 17
May, along with about 17 hamlets also reported captured.[460][461][462][463][464]

On 18 May, SDF captured a village located to the east of Raqqa.[465][466] On the next day, two villages
along with a farm were captured by the alliance.[467][468] By 21 May, two villages were captured with
SDF advancing within 2 kilometres (1.2  mi) of the Baath Dam.[469][470][471] By 23 May, another 2
villages were captured near the dam.[472] Another village was captured near the dam later.[473][474] On 24
May, two villages including the town of Hamrat Nasera were captured by the SDF in the western
countryside while a village in the eastern countryside was also reported to have been captured.[475] On the
next day, the SDF captured the strategic Kadiran village to the north of the dam.[476] Meanwhile, the
Manbij Military Council sent an additional 2,200 fighters.[53] The SDF stated the next day that more than
1,000 men from the al-Tabqa region had joined it on the day.[477]

Following the seizure of six villages on 30 May, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
continued on the 31st as units were able to take control of Hunaydi village and establish fire control over a
section of the M6 highway, a jihadist supply road which runs vertically through ISIS territory in Syria. In
addition, ISIL withdrew from the village of al-Assadiah. Effectively, the SDF had then besieged the highly
fortified Division 17 military base, located directly north of the provincial capital. Meanwhile,
approximately 4,000 ISIS fighters were waiting to fight the SDF in Raqqa.[478]

On 2 June, the SDF captured the town of Mansoura after a 3-day battle. Before the SDF captured it,
Mansoura was the largest town still under ISIL control west of Raqqa.[479] By 4 June, the SDF along the
US and French Special Forces fully captured Baath Dam.[18][5]

Phase Five: Battle for Raqqa city

On 6 June 2017, the SDF

announced the start of the
Battle of Raqqa city. The
offensive came from
Raqqa's north, east, and
west. The SDF attacked the
17th Division base and the
Mashlab district in the The United States Marine Corps
northern part of the providing fire support for the SDF
Map of the SDF's advances in Raqqa
city.[480] The battle was during the Battle of Raqqa.
city
earlier announced by SDF
to be the "fifth and final
phase".[481]

On 24 June, the SDF completely besieged Raqqa city, trapping about 4,000 ISIL militants in the city.[482]

As of the 28 September, around 50% of Raqqa had been "totally destroyed" during the battle.[483]

On 14 October, a group of ISIL fighters and around 400 civilians, reportedly used as human shields by
ISIS, evacuated from Raqqa under an agreement with the SDF. The next day, the SDF announced the
"final phase" of the battle, code-named the Battle of Martyr Adnan Abu Amjad,[484] to capture the
remaining ISIL holdouts in 10% of the city.[485]

On 16 October, the SDF reportedly destroyed the last ISIL forces in the al-Andalus and al-Matar
neighborhoods,[486] and finally secured the al-Naim roundabout.[487]

On 17 October, ISIL control in Raqqa officially ended when the SDF captured the National Hospital and
the Stadium,[488] though a clear and hold operation was still expected in order to clear out potential
remaining pockets of resistance.[488]

Following the end of clearing operations, victory was officially declared by the SDF on 20 October.[489]

Syrian Army offensive in southern Raqqa

On June 12, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), led by the Tiger Forces, began an offensive on ISIL positions
in the western countryside of Raqqa, south of the town of Maskanah, which it recently captured, toward the
Ithriya-Tabqa highway, aiming to secure its main supply route to Aleppo. A Hezbollah-run media unit
reported that government forces advanced 32 km south of Maskanah, capturing the villages of Rajm Askar,
Bir Inbaj, Zahar Um Baj, Jab Aziz, Jab al-Ghanem, Abu Sousa and Jab Abyadin in the process. A source
close to the Tiger Forces said that the SAA had occupied all areas west of the Resafa oil field. Al-Masdar
News reported that the June 13 advances marked the first time government forces had any presence around
SDF-occupied Tabqa in three years.[9][490] On 18 June, a Syrian Air Force Su-22 was shot down by a US
Navy F-18E south of Tabqa; the US military subsequently claimed that the Syrian jet had been intercepted
after it had bombed SDF positions.[491] Both the pro-opposition SOHR[492] as well as the pro-SDF Hawar
News Agency denied this, however, stating that the jet had not attacked the SDF. The Syrian government
said that their Su-22 had bombed ISIL positions when it was destroyed.[493]

On July 15, the SAA captured the Wahab, al-Fahd, Dbaysan, al-Qseer, Abu al-Qatat and Abu Qatash oil
fields, south of Resafa.[494] Al-Masdar News reported that the Tiger Forces overran three more fields in the
region the following day, including Zamleh Sharqiyah, Bir Zamleh and Al-Khalaa.[495]

Administration of captured territory

Civil administration

On 14 November, the
SDF's civilian sister
institution, the Syrian
Democratic Council
(SDC), started working on
the establishment of a
Members of the Raqqa Internal civilian administration to
Security Forces with their flag in Ayn run the city of Raqqa after
Issa the expulsion of the Islamic
State of Iraq and the
Levant. SDC co-chair Samer Kharkhi, one of the Raqqa
Îlham Ehmed said "such an administration could provide a good Civil Council's leading members
example for democratic change in Raqqa, especially that the city
has been for years a de facto capital for the ISIS terrorist group.
This accomplishment would be a major change in the overall situation in Syria, and would help the country
move towards stability, democratic change. Raqqa will be an example for the whole country."[496]

On 8 December, Col. John Dorrian, the Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman, stated that "a governance
structure representative of the local population" similar to that in Manbij is planned for Raqqa.[497] On 10
December, Cihan Shekh Ehmed, the spokesman of the SDF-led operation, said that Raqqa would be run
by a local elected civilian council after it was liberated.[127] On 27 March 2017, Salih Muslim Muhammad,
co-chairman of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), said that as soon as the SDF had captured the city, "the
people of Raqqa are the ones who [will] take the decision on everything". If they wanted to do so, Muslim
said, they could choose to join the Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria.[498] On the same day, the
provisional Raqqa Civil Council announced that it had taken over the administration of the eastern
countryside.[499]
During a meeting in Ayn Issa on 18 April 2017 attended by tribal chiefs and local dignitaries from Raqqa,
SDF announced the official establishment of a civilian council to govern Raqqa city after it is captured.
During the meeting of delegates including representatives from Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen; co-chairs Layla
Mohammed and Mahmoud Shawakh al-Busran[500] were elected and 14 committees were established.
SDF stated that a military council to provide security to the city after its capture will be formed
soon.[501][502][503][504][505] On 20 April, the new civilian council also began to operate in the areas of
Tabqa, handling the distribution of food to local villagers.[506]

On 15 May 2017, an agreement was made to establish a 'Tabqa Civilian Assembly'. This assembly will be
temporary as a broader assembly will be established with councils following the return of residents.[507]

On 17 May 2017, the Raqqa Internal Security Forces (RISF) were established as new police unit, with the
first training course being set up in Ayn Issa; their purpose is to provide law and order in the areas captured
from ISIL during the campaign. As native police, the RISF is supposed to be expanded to at least 3,000
members.[508]

On 20 October, SDF declared that Raqqa and its province will decide its own future "within the framework
of a decentralised, federal, democratic Syria". They pledged to protect Raqqa province from external threats
and hand over control to a civil council from the city.[509] In a ceremony on the same day, SDF handed
over administration of Raqqa city to the civil council while the 3,000-strong United States-trained police
force was tasked with governance and security.[510]

IDP camp and informal settlement

Food, goods and resources have become rare in Raqqa due to clashes, while lives are also at risk from
fightings and coalition's bombings.[511] Also, a number of IDP camps and settlement have been set up
across northern Syria.[512]

Tensions and insurgency

On 25 March 2018, protests erupted in Mansoura after a leader of the Bukahmis tribe was arrested by the
SDF. Protesters burned tires, and SDF fighters opened fire. The tribal leader was released on the same day.
Following the protests, a SDF YPG intelligence officer was killed and his body was dumped on a road
near Mansoura. It is unclear if his assassination was related to the protests.[513][514]
After the conclusion of
the campaign, the SDF was faced with a continued insurgency by ISIL.

Gallery


A YPJ sniper during A SDF technical in a Refugees return to SDF technicals in

the offensive on 13 village captured their hometown of the northwestern
November 2016 from ISIL on 15 Al-Hisbah, after the countryside on 12
November 2016 SDF captured it from December 2016
ISIL.

Temporary camp of Fighters of the Tell Kurdish YPG The town of

the SDF near Abyad fighters during the Mahmudli on 4
Mahmudli on 17 Revolutionaries offensive on 24 January 2017, three
December 2016 Brigade and the December 2016 days after its capture
YPG warm by the SDF
themselves at a
campfire.

SDF fighters in SDF fighters at SDF fighters in front A Kurdish fighter fits
Mahmudli on 4 Qal'at Ja'bar on 10 of Qal'at Ja'bar on a SDF flag on a
January 2017 January 2017 10 January 2017 Guardian armored
personnel carrier
supplied by the US.


An MT-LB of the YPJ fighters on 7 Deir Ezzor Military A YPG sniper near
SDF during the February 2017 Council fighters on 9 the Euphrates
offensive March 2017

A SDF T-55 during Toyota Hilux and SDF fighters in HAT (Asayish
the offensive other vehicles of the Tabqa, 13 May 2017 SWAT) in Tabqa, 13
YPG and YPJ near May 2017
Tabqa, 9 April 2017

SDF MRAP and A SDF fighter in SDF fighters walk The United States
pickup truck in combat in Raqqa through a destroyed Marine Corps
Raqqa, 8 June 2017 city, 8 June 2017 area in the suburbs provides fire support
of Raqqa, 13 June to the SDF, 21 July
2017 2017


YJÊ fighters in YJÊ fighters in SDF fighters in SDF fighters in

Raqqa, 12 July Raqqa, 12 July Raqqa's downtown, Raqqa, 12 July
12 July

An anarchist fighter
from IRPGF in the
suburbs of Raqqa,
21 July 2017

See also
Al-Thawrah District, a district of Raqqa Governorate in which the Second, Third, and Fourth
Phases of this campaign have taken place.
Cities and towns during the Syrian Civil War
Turkish military intervention in Syria
Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)
Raqqa campaign (2012–2013)
Battle of Raqqa (March 2013)
2014 Eastern Syria offensive
Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017)
Siege of Kobanî
Tell Abyad offensive
Tishrin Dam offensive
Al-Shaddadi offensive (2016)
Manbij offensive
Battle of Sirte (2016)
Southern Syrian Desert campaign (December 2016 – April 2017)
Battle of Marawi
Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019)
 Battle of Baghuz Fawqani

Notes
a. Most leftist foreign volunteers fight as part of the YPG,[2] though some have also formed
independent units, such as the Antifascist International Tabur[3] and the IRPGF, or joined the
International Freedom Battalion. The latter is a larger unit, mostly composed of Kurdish and
Turkish communists.[4]
b. 1,500 volunteers from villages captured by the SDF during phase one;[56] 1,000 volunteers
from villages captured during phase two,[55] 750 volunteers from villages captured during
phase three,[28] 200 more joined in April[57]
c. First Phase: 185 killed;"Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20161213053518/http://
aranews.net/2016/12/syrian-democratic-forces-launch-second-phase-raqqa-operation/).
Archived from the original (http://aranews.net/2016/12/syrian-democratic-forces-launch-seco
nd-phase-raqqa-operation/) on 2016-12-13. Retrieved 2016-12-10.

Second Phase: 536 killed, 12 captured;"Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/201701

17053258/http://aranews.net/2017/01/over-530-isis-jihadis-killed-133-villages-liberated-in-th
e-second-phase-of-kurdish-led-raqqa-campaign/). Archived from the original (http://aranews.
net/2017/01/over-530-isis-jihadis-killed-133-villages-liberated-in-the-second-phase-of-kurdis
h-led-raqqa-campaign/) on 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2017-03-23.

Third Phase: 377 killed, 8 captured;"Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/201703051

14206/http://en.hawarnews.com/ypg-made-january-and-february-outcomes-clear/). Archived
from the original (http://en.hawarnews.com/ypg-made-january-and-february-outcomes-clear/)
on 2017-03-05.[1] (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kurdish-led-forces-continue-rapid-
progress-rural-raqqa-isis/)

Fourth Phase: 500+ killed, 8 captured;"Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/2017070

1115656/http://aranews.net/2017/04/at-least-311-isis-jihadists-killed-by-sdf-fire-in-military-ca
mpaign-to-liberate-raqqas-northern-countryside/). Archived from the original (http://www.aran
ews.net/2017/04/at-least-311-isis-jihadists-killed-by-sdf-fire-in-military-campaign-to-liberate-r
aqqas-northern-countryside/) on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-06-18.[2] (https://www.almasda
rnews.com/article/huge-isis-casualties-rural-raqqa-counter-offensive-ends-disaster/)

Fifth Phase: 1,786 killed, 10 captured;[3] (https://anfenglish.com/news/ypg-releases-balance

-sheet-of-war-for-june-20776)[4] (https://anfenglish.com/rojava/ypg-releases-balance-sheet-o
f-war-for-the-month-of-august-21900)[5] (https://anfenglish.com/rojava/ypg-releases-balance-
sheet-of-war-for-the-month-of-august-21900)

Total of 3,784+ reported killed and 38 captured

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Bibliography
Harp, Seth (23 February 2017). "The Anarchists vs. ISIS" (https://www.docdroid.net/tOFCRH
3/rolling-stone-usa-february-23-2017.pdf.html). Rolling Stone. New York City: Wenner Media
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D.C.: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (38).

External links
Interactive Syria and Iraq map with current Raqqa military situation (http://syriancivilwarmap.
com/)
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