The “Islamic State” (IS) has lost extensive control over one of its most important bases: The Syrian city of Rakka. In afternoon, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters had reported capture of city. In evening, US military shared that about 90 percent of city was under control of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US forces had supported SDF in ir offensive against IS.
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One is now looking for last fighters of IS, said spokesman of US-led anti-IS coalition, Ryan Dillon. The IS is in city “on brink of a devastating defeat”. There are estimated to be 100 fighters in city. There are still explosives in city that could explode at any time. It could take years for m to be found and defused.
The IS-terror militia had reigned in Rakka for years. In past few days, according to SDF, several hundred Syrian IS fighters had already emerged after an agreement was reached with m for a peaceful deduction. Among remaining combatants in city centre were mainly foreign is-followers, but also isolated Syrian extremists.
The New York Times reports that re have been considerations to bring also IS supporters from abroad on buses from city. But US-led coalition was against it: re will be no negotiations about a withdrawal of IS-combatants, it was said last week.
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According to London-based Syrian Observatory on Human Rights, more than 3,000 people died in fighting since June – more than a third of m civilians. The information provided by observatory cannot be confirmed by an independent source, but it is considered to be well-informed and networked in Syria.
Of once 300,000 inhabitants of Rakkas, some 270,000 people have left city according to information from human rights organizations. It may take years for city in ruins to be habitable again.
The Battle of Rakka began in June, when predominantly Kurdish SDF alliance prevailed. It was supported by intense air attacks by US-led coalition. Rakka was long capital of caliphate called by IS, loss of city is a heavy blow to terror militia.
