Posted on 05/10/2017 5:22:46 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
Commanders of the SDF leading Operation Wrath of Euphrates in Syria's north.
The Operation Wrath of Euphrates Command Room released a statement on Wednesday saying the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had relaunched the campaign to capture Raqqa from the jihadist Islamic State (IS) group after a 15 day suspension.
The operation was suspended following airstrikes by Turkish fighter jets on SDF’s leading faction, Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) positions in northeast Syria in April.
According to the statement, published on ANF news agency, the operation was reinitiated on Tuesday evening, coinciding with the US approval of heavy weapons and armoured vehicle provisions directly to the YPG.
“Despite futile terror attack attempts and Erdogan’s efforts to obstruct the YPG with attacks from behind, our forces responded to the aggression. We emphasise that the obstacles and devious attacks did not break but on the contrary strengthened our will and determination in the fight against terror.” the statement read.
The group is expected to mount an offensive on the central neighbourhoods of Raqqa after having surrounded the city earlier.
The Operation Wrath of Euphrates was launched in November 2016 by two dozen military factions including Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian and Turkmen forces, which make up the Coalition-backed SDF.
Now the battle to destroy the so called capital of ISIS at Raqqa will begin.
May God Bless, Guide, Protect all who undertake the destruction of this Huge Dark Evil. SDF, Coalition and all support providers.
Contrast these Kurds with the way the Iraqis defend their homeland at times.
The Iraqis seem to be doing better, but you can’t hold the Kurds back. They’re ready to go and very tough.
I respect that.
There is a lot to respect about Syrian Kurds. They are not “just like US” but I’ve learned to really appreciate they are genuine good people. I know a number very well.
Of all the groups in Syria that I know about I would rate the Kurds right at the top. ISIS of course at the bottom by a long shot.
Thanks for the mention. I haven’t seen them trying to conquer new lands. They seem to tend to themselves and protect their own. What they are doing now seems to be mop up after ISIS.
I tend to agree with your opinion on them.
U.S.-backed Syria militias say Tabqa, dam captured from Islamic State
They captured Tabqa “thanks to the sacrifices of the SDF’s heroes and with the full, unlimited support of the U.S.-led international coalition”, said SDF spokesman Talal Silo.
Nasser Haj Mansour, an adviser to the SDF, said the town and the adjacent Tabqa dam were now “completely liberated” after the SDF drove all Islamic State militants out.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-tabqa-idUSKBN1862E4
...The battle for Tabqa began after U.S. forces helped SDF fighters conduct an airborne landing on the southern bank of the Euphrates in late March, allowing them to gain control of an important nearby airbase.
Despite fierce objections from NATO ally Turkey, the United States this week approved supplying arms to the powerful Kurdish YPG militia, a key component of the SDF and their campaign.
Thinking it was Air Assault, not Airborne?
The assault on the dam began with SAS team jumping in near the dam at night. Surveyed the security etc. undetected.
Then later in the evening our Spec OPs and SDF Special Ops were dropped by helicopter at the dam facility.
All reports are they did a great job of grabbing the Dam.
BUT, there were some ISIS entrenched in the Control tower and the Turbine area. That was only removed today.
That is what happened as best I can determine.
Thank you.
Will take time to sweep the dam clean.
Two hundred feet high, water elevation?
Huge danger for a great number of people.
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