Anti-ISIS ground forces announce two fronts linking up in southe

The Syrian Democratic Forces have announced that parts of its eastern and western axes have linked up in the southern part of Raqqa, Syria, while the the US-led global coalition to defeat ISIS said it does “not yet have confirmation” that the two sides have joined.

“As of this afternoon, the SDF were within 250 meters of connecting the east and west axes of advance,” the coalition spokesman,” US Army Col. Ryan Dillon told Rudaw English on Tuesday evening. “The SDF can certainly cover the distance between the two locations by fire (weapons coverage).”

In the southwest on Monday, SDF’s eastern axis advanced into the Hisham Ibn Abd Al Malek neighborhood, where they were reportedly met by forces from the western who had controlled Nazlat Shahada neighborhood.

Official media for the SDF confirmed the initial report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based conflict monitor that relies on “several reliable sources.”

“Significant progress in Raqqa in the last 24 hours with key territory seized by SDF forces and 100s of civilians freed,” the US Special Presidential Envoy to the Coalition tweeted on Monday evening.

Clashes continue in the southern areas, SOHR reported on Tuesday, although the SDF now control the main political security building at the western outskirts of Hisham Ibn Abd Al Malek.

The neighborhood is located on the northern banks of the Euphrates River and just south of the Science and Technology University.

“The SDF have taken about 45 to 50 percent of Raqqa…” Dillon said. “We’ve seen a less coherent ISIS defense in Raqqa compared to Mosul. ISIS is using mobile and static car bombs, booby traps, and civilians to shield themselves, but their inability to face the multiple challenges from the SDF is obvious.”

After heavy coalition strikes, the SDF announced it “took control” of the shrines of Ammar Ben Yasser and Uwais Al-Qarni located near Bab Baghdad area at the outskirts of the Old City Walls; however the area has not been fully retaken from ISIS as reported clashes continued.

“The changes [Donald] President Trump have made in terms of delegation have made it work more effectively, more efficiently, and very importantly we are devastating this enemy,” McGurk said during an event at the Middle East Institute last week.

The SDF coalition is a 50,000-strong force comprised of mostly Kurdish, Arab and Syriac elements from northern Syria.

“The control of the southern sector or Raqqa and the use of multi-story buildings will provide the SDF positions of advantage as they continue to advance against ISIS throughout remaining parts of the city,” Dillon added.

The offensive to retake Raqqa city began on June 6. At least half of the city ISIS called its capital has been captured.

“I think this model ‘By, With, and Through,’ we are pioneering how to do this,” McGurk added at the think-tank event. “It is different. It’s working. It’s sustainable, which is key because this will be a long-term effort. It’s the right model.”

Source: Anti-ISIS ground forces announce two fronts linking up in southe