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Focus: Syria - Mar 11, 2017

By bartolo - Posted on 11 March 2017

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces say they are confident to capture Islamic State capital Raqqa: "We have enough forces to liberate Raqqa with the help of the coalition." Is this a true assessment or an overstatement? Raqqa is inhabited by Arabs and is not part of Syrian Kurdistan. An effective and winning strategy leads to the conclusion that Raqqa should be liberated by Arab forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces, which are led by the Kurdish YPG and include also an Arab component named Syrian Arab Coalition, to date lack adequate equipment and training and may not be strong enough to defeat the Islamic State even with the support of US airstrikes. Relying on them in the liberation of Raqqa may result in a long-protracted war with heavy casualties and uncertain conclusion. There is the risk that US troops, now in ‘advisory’ role, will get involved in direct combat operations to make up for the deficiencies of the Syrian Democratic Forces and set up a chain of unforeseeable events with disastrous consequences. Erdogan’s Turkey, which vehemently opposes any role by the Kurds in the liberation of Raqqa, will obstruct their intervention by any means. Assad, who says that capturing Raqqa is a priority of the Syrian Army, will oppose a US-backed and Kurdish-led offensive without coordination with his government. On this Russia will side with Assad. The Syrian Democratic Forces cannot be the leader in the Raqqa offensive but a participant in auxiliary roles. The US should welcome the Assad pledge to liberate Raqqa and coordinate with Russia the military operations. The benefits for US will be to win the war against the Islamic State in Syria, save lives and money.

Backed by US troops, SDF confident can capture IS 'capital’ Raqqa - WTOP

US-backed SDF captures 40 km of land between Deir Ezzor and Raqqa - almasdarnews.com

Syrian Kurdish-led forces capture strategic Menxer hill near Raqqa - ekurd

VIDEO: Syrian Democratic Forces release 40 captured Turkey-backed rebels to relieve tensions between warring parties - almasdarnews.com

Hundreds of ISIS fighters pour into Raqqa as Kurdish forces advance - almasdarnews.com

300 families of IS fighters flee Syria's Raqqa - gulf-times.com

Spokesperson: Coalition will support SDF to cut off IS routes in Raqqa - kurdistan24.net

U.S. says Kurdish YPG group of Syrian Kurdistan not terrorist - ekurd

US prepares surprise assault on Raqqa by Ranger Regiment: Reports - southfront.org

Russia, US discuss communications channel on Syria: Pentagon - TASS

U.S. split over plan to take Raqqa from Islamic State - WSJ

Three-way contest for Raqqa to shape Mideast - WSJ