Raqqa – Warplanes of the US-led coalition launched on Thursday several airstrikes on the Islamic State’s (ISIS) headquarters in Syria’s northeastern Raqqa Governorate.The airstrikes come in support of the Euphrates Wrath Operation for Raqqa, which has been launched by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) nearly two weeks ago with the ultimate goal of isolating and eliminating ISIS in Raqqa.
The coalition hit ISIS defences and security centres in Raqqa’s northern suburb with several air raids.
“At least 13 ISIS militants were killed and several others were wounded under heavy airstrikes by the coalition’s fighter jets,” local media activist Abdulkarim al-Yousef told ARA News.
Thursday’s raids targeted ISIS headquarters in the towns of Allou and Mashada, north of Raqqa city.
In the meantime, clashes broke out between the SDF troops and ISIS militants in the vicinity of Tel al-Samn town northeast of Raqqa, amid efforts by the SDF to bring the fight to the ISIS de facto capital–Raqqa City.
The Syrian Democratic Forces has recently liberated dozens of villages and farms in northern Raqqa, in an area measuring approximately 550 square kilometres during the first phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation–which was launched on 6 November. Military sources reported the death of at least 167 ISIS militants so far in the operation.
The Kurdish People’s Protection Units, Women’s Protection Units, Syriac Military Council, Raqqa Revolutionaries Battalion and Tel Abyad Revolutionary Brigade are participating in Euphrates Wrath Operation for Raqqa. These ground forces are being bolstered by the US-led coalition, which is providing air support and advice from US military experts.