Northern Raqqa offensive

Northern Raqqa offensive (2016)
Part of the American-led intervention in Syria, the international military intervention against ISIL, the Rojava–Islamist conflict, and the Syrian Civil War
Date21–30 May 2016
(1 week and 2 days)
Location35°57′00″N 39°01′00″E / 35.9500°N 39.0167°E / 35.9500; 39.0167
Result

Offensive stalled[1][2]

Belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces
CJTF–OIR
 Islamic State
Commanders and leaders

Rojda Felat (YPJ commander)[4]

Assyrian people Nuri Mahmoud (MFS commander)[5]
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Leader of ISIL)
Units involved

Syrian Democratic Forces

United States special operations forces[9]
Islamic State Military of ISIL
Strength
30,000 fighters[4] Islamic State 5,000–8,000 fighters (inside Raqqa city)[4]
Casualties and losses
18 SDF fighters killed[3][10]
1 US soldier wounded[11]
79 killed[10]
300,000 civilians displaced[12]

The Northern Raqqa offensive was a 2016 military offensive launched by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in northern Raqqa Governorate, in order to prepare for a future attack on the city of Raqqa. The offensive was launched in coordination with airstrikes by the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.[13] After 30 May, the offensive stalled, as the SDF shifted its focus and resources to another operation in the northern Aleppo Province.

  1. ^ "Syrian rebels on outskirts of ISIL-held Manbij in north". The National. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  2. ^ Wilgenburg, Wladimir van (10 June 2016). "Report From the Front: ISIS Crumbling in Key City on Turkish Border". The Daily Beast.
  3. ^ a b Editor3. "قوات سوريا الديمقراطية تتقدم نحو الطبقة وتسيطر على 12 قرية ومزرعة وترفع عدد قتلى تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" إلى نحو 80". Syrian Observatory on Human rights. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b c "Syria conflict: Kurds launch campaign north of IS-held Raqqa". BBC. 25 May 2016.
  5. ^ "The new coalition to destroy the Islamic State". The Washington Post. 22 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Who Are US Allies in Fight Against Islamic State?". Voice of America. 24 May 2016.
  7. ^ a b "What has happened during the Operation Liberate North Raqqa?". ANF News. 26 May 2016.
  8. ^ @SyriacMFS (24 May 2016). "PRESS RELEASE 24.05.2016: Northern Raqqa liberation campaign" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "IN PHOTOS: U.S. Special Forces operating against ISIS in Syria's Raqqa". Haaretz. 26 May 2016.
  10. ^ a b "ISIL loses ground to Kurd-led fighters in Syria". World Bulletin.
  11. ^ "Exclusive: U.S.-backed Syria forces launch offensive for Manbij pocket - U.S. officials". Reuters. 1 June 2016.
  12. ^ "As US, YPG-dominated SDF hit Raqqa, 300,000 Syrians flee". DailySabah. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  13. ^ "U.S.-backed Syrian alliance launches new attack near Islamic State capital". Reuters. 24 May 2016. Archived from the original on 25 May 2016.