The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

“Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces control about 35% of Al-Raqqah city’s area and prepare for the conclusive battle

About 730 civilians and fighter were killed in Al-Raqqah city and about third of them are Syrian civilians

The Military operations continue in the stronghold of the “Islamic State” organization and its capital in Syria, within a quest by the forces of the grand battle of Al-Raqqah to control over the entire city, where tens of thousands of civilians are located, and expel the “Islamic State” organization out of it, and the grand battle of Al-Raqqah -which is still taking place for the 37th consecutive day- is witnessing the continuation of clashes in several areas in the city, where the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored the Syria Democratic Forces achieving a new advancement in areas in the city, expanding their control with the support of the US Special Forces and the “Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces, and with the support of the International Coalition warplanes, accompanied by the arrival of tens of trucks carrying military equipment, materiel and ammunition for the Syria Democratic Forces in Al-Raqqah city and its surroundings, in preparation for the conclusive battle in the organization’s stronghold in Syria.

 

The Syrian Observatory monitored the Syria Democratic Forces impose their control over 50% of the area of the Old City of Al-Raqqah, after going deep into several areas west of the Old City walls, also they were able to advance in other areas in the city, extending their control to about 35% of the area of Al-Raqqah city. The daily clashes are accompanied by violent exchange of shelling between both parties, and by bombing by the International Coalition and shelling by “Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces, and detonating booby trapped vehicles by the “Islamic State “organization, which caused destruction to the city’s infrastructure, and large destruction to hundreds of homes, shops, warehouses and public utilities.

 

The SOHR continued to follow up on, observe and document the situation in Al-Raqqah city, including battles, advancements, attacks, destruction, and daily killings of more and more civilians, where it rose to at least 233 including an SOHR activist, the number of Syrian civilians whose death has been documented by the SOHR since the 5th of June 2017 until dawn today, the 12th of July 2017. Fatalities included at least 39 children below the age of eighteen and 30 female citizens above eighteen. In addition, airstrikes left hundreds of civilians injured, with various degrees of severity, some of whom had their limbs amputated, some were left with permanent disabilities and some are still in a critical condition, which means that the death toll is still likely to rise. Moreover, the intensive shelling that targeted the city, its surroundings and outskirts destroyed tens of houses and public utilities.

 

Also 359 ISIS members at least including local commanders and group commanders, were killed as a result of the airstrikes carried out by the International Coalition warplanes, the intensive shelling on Al-Raqqah city and its outskirts, and the military operations carried out by the “Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces which consist of the Syria Democratic Forces and the Syrian Elite Forces backed by the US Special Forces with the support of the International Coalition warplanes. Confirmed information was also reported about the death of more members and the injury of tens of others.

 

In addition, the SOHR documented the death of 137 fighters of the “Euphrates Wrath” Operation Forces, including 2 the Syrian Elite Forces and 3 fighters (British, American and Georgian nationals), the rest are from the SDF, which are formed from fighters of YPG and Al-Manbij Military Council, who died in bombings, shelling and clashes with ISIS in Al-Raqqah city and at the southern banks of the Euphrates.

 

Pictures by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights show areas south of al-Bareed neighborhood in the northwest part of Al-Raqqah city, of which the Syria Democratic Forces were able to control parts of it, within the “Euphrates Wrath” Operation and the grand battle of Al-Raqqah, which aims to control Al-Raqqah city entirely and expel the organization out of it.

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