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Syriacs rescued in Raqqa: ISIS tried to destroy everything we had (Syria)
ANF News ^ | Sunday, 27 Aug 2017, 11:50 | ANF Raqqa

Posted on 08/27/2017 8:29:59 PM PDT by Texas Fossil

George Joseph of the Syriac family that has been rescued by the SDF in Raqqa summarized the ISIS atrocity, saying: “They tried to destroy everything we had.”.

Syriac

The Great Battle, which was launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the ISIS gangs in Raqqa, is in its 81st day. The fighters of the SDF are conducting operations against ISIS and advancing on the northern, southern and eastern fronts.

Amid the ongoing battle, SDF fighters are also rescuing Raqqan civilians from the clutches of the ISIS gangs. The Raqqan civilians are being rescued via corridors, which have been opened on the western and eastern fronts. In a latest operation, around 50 civilians have been rescued. Special forces of the SDF freed the inhabitants of Raqqa in the Rawda neighbourhood and took them to safe areas. Among the rescued locals is also a Syriac family.

The freed citizens had been surrounded by ISIS gangs and remained trapped days long together with children, the elders, women and youngsters inside of their houses, as they were not able to set a foot out of their homes. For days these people were left in their homes without any water and food. The SDF fighters also rescued a Syriac family and took them to a safe place under their control.

FROM ALEPPO TO RAQQA

The eldest of the Syriac family George Joseph (45), his wife, daughter, sister and her daughter have been transferred to a safe area by the SDF fighters. Congratulating his family’s freedom with a victory sign, Joseph said they were one of the last Syriac families left under ISIS occupation in Raqqa.

Joseph’s family is originally from the Syriac community in Aleppo and migrated to Raqqa years ago. They were living under the occupation of ISIS for the past 5 years.

“THEY SLAUGHTERED THE PEOPLES”

Joseph stated that aside from Arabs there are also Syriacs, Christians, Kurds and Armenians living in Raqqa and said: "Following the attacks of ISIS a large number of Raqqa's inhabitants were forced to flee their homes, just like several people from my family and relatives. ISIS killed many from all peoples that did not act as they wanted.”

Joseph told that the ISIS gangs used to plunder the possessions and belongings of the inhabitants under the pretext of taxes, adding: "They took all our belongings from us. We tried to get out of the city before the Raqqa operation began, but ISIS did not allow it."

“THEY TURNED CHURCHES INTO MILITARY HEADQUARTERS”

Joseph pointed out that the ISIS gangs occupied the churches after invading the city and turned these into military headquarters for themselves, adding: "They banned us from going to church. They seized all the churches and used them for themselves. Even now the churches are used as military headquarters. They tried to destroy everything we had, and they managed it to a large extent. We tried hard to escape their clutches but they constantly barred us, not allowing us to get out of our homes even. Those who got out were targeted by either their mines or snipers.”


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Syria
KEYWORDS: christian; raqqa; rescued; syria; syriac
Situation for civilians under control of ISIS in Raqqa is extremely bad. Each group that escape is a great relief.

No one really knows how many civilians are left in Raqqa.

This Christian family surviving is a reason to rejoice.

1 posted on 08/27/2017 8:29:59 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
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To: Texas Fossil

Kill islam before it kills you.

It ain’t complicated.


2 posted on 08/27/2017 8:56:39 PM PDT by soycd
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To: soycd

Certainly true with ISIS


3 posted on 08/27/2017 9:11:25 PM PDT by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Texas Fossil

I have seen reports that the majority of the population has already left from Raqqa, and that most of it is deserted.

Nonetheless, it still seems that there are more civilians than ISIS left in the ISIS areas. Some no doubt are ISIS families or supporters, and no doubt there are some others who just did not have the ability to get out yet.

It sure looks like the heat is staying on ISIS - airstrikes are going way up - 120 in the past two days, double the previous (already high) rate of 30 per day. The artillery is also reported to have been keeping up a brisk rate of fire.

In the high heat of Summer, and after months of casualties, it is challenging to keep up spirits on the ground - but it is harder for ISIS. Everyone knows that they will lose.

I’d guess the end of October to root them out, if the pressure can be kept up.


4 posted on 08/27/2017 9:19:41 PM PDT by BeauBo
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To: BeauBo

I believe the SDF will keep the pressure up.

Unless Erdogan does something really stupid again. He just did with a failed “operation” in Iraq. Headshake.

Now KRG are delaying Ezidi return to Shengal Mountains for phoney reasons. May be tip off of another stupid action.

CHP is acting a little in Erdogan’s face. He seems to be blowing that off. He knows what they are capable of. The really don’t like what he is doing.

Erdogan is poking around West of Kobani. Another provocative move.

We wait.


5 posted on 08/27/2017 9:28:25 PM PDT by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Texas Fossil

Berkley antifa try the same thing in the South and Bible belt.


6 posted on 08/27/2017 9:58:43 PM PDT by lavaroise
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To: Texas Fossil

They sound like democrats.

+++++

Joseph told that the ISIS gangs used to plunder the possessions and belongings of the inhabitants under the pretext of taxes, adding: “They took all our belongings from us.”


7 posted on 08/27/2017 10:54:47 PM PDT by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - they want to die for islam and we want to kill them)
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To: 2banana

ComDems sound like ISIS. In more than this example.

We witness the convergence of the Godless Left, Global Fascists and Islamists against Christians, Jews and Freedom Lovers. Each of the first 3 believe they will win over the other 2, none will, in the end God will prevail.

The left often sides with the Islamists, they both see freedom and independence of action as their enemy. The left makes a serious mistake there, they don’t understand that the Islamists will never assimilate and the Left will be the first casualty where the Islamists take over.


8 posted on 08/28/2017 4:40:46 AM PDT by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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