A new front against ISIS in Al-Raqqah city

Clashes continue, with a violent pace, since last night, the 1st of July 2017, between ISIS on one hand and the Syria Democratic Forces and the “Euphrates Wrath” operation Forces backed by the International Coalition warplanes on the other in Al-Hal market. The latter have advanced into the area following an intensive shelling and ongoing violent clashes inside the market. The SOHR learned that clashes were accompanied by successive airstrikes carried out by the International Coalition warplanes targeting ISIS controlled areas and positions. Casualties were reported at both sides. In addition, the “Euphrates Wrath” operation Forces managed to advance into the east and west of Al-Hal market and to reach the outskirts of Hisham Ben Abdel Malik neighborhood, the last neighborhood in Al-Raqqah city which is adjacent to the northern banks of the Euphrates.
The SOHR published last night that the “Euphrates Wrath” operation forces launched a new attack in order to achieve more advancement into and regain control over Al-Sinaa neighborhood, of which only the part adjacent to the old city is still under the control of ISIS. Clashes were accompanied by shelling and exchange of targeting between both parties. Clashes also continued, in an attempt to advance into Al-Hal market, while renewed clashes took place in the southern countryside of the city, amid the advancement of the SDF and Al-Manbij Military Council. Information about the SDF taking control of a village, south the Euphrates, was reported. The SOHR also published last night that the “Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces managed to advance and regain control of more than the half of al-Sinaa neighborhood, which is considered the most important neighborhood because it is adjacent to the old city in Al-Raqqa city, while the organization retreated to the half of the city which is adjacent to the old city. These Forces continue advancing at the expense of the organization, in an attempt to advance and reach the walls of the old city in Al-Raqqa city again. Clashes coincided with the flying of the International Coalition’s warplanes in the skies of the city. These warplanes carried out airstrikes that targeted ISIS- controlled areas and positions, while the warplanes kept flying and monitoring the movements of the organization inside the neighborhood and the city. These clashes coincided with clashes of varying levels of violence between the Syria Democratic Forces backed by the US Special Forces one hand and the “Islamic State” organization on the other in the neighborhoods of al-Qadisiyah, Hutteen, and Bareed Al-Daria in the western part of Al-Raqqah city, in continued attempts by the “Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces to advance in the area and move deep into the city to encircle the organization after having completely besieged the city the day before yesterday.