ARA News
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expelled Islamic State’s (ISIS) extremists from several key towns east of Raqqa city, in northeastern Syria, military sources reported on Saturday.
Fighters of the US-backed SDF were able to capture the town of Badr, about 6km east of Raqqa city–de facto capital of the Islamic State.
“The SDF forces also took control of the villages of Andalous and Mazloum, beside expelling ISIS terrorists from the Hamrat al-Ghannam town in Raqqa suburb,” SDF officer Habun Osman told ARA News.
Hamrat al-Ghannam was the final ISIS’ supply line in Raqqa province.
“The liberation of Hamrat al-Ghannam was a major victory for our forces and a heavy blow to ISIS, as the group cannot support its operations inside Raqqa anymore,” the Kurdish officer told ARA News.
Dozens of ISIS militants were reportedly killed and injured during Saturday’s clashes.
This comes amid continued progress by the SDF as part of the Euphrates Wrath Operation to liberate Raqqa province from ISIS jihadists.
During the first phase of Euphrates Wrath, which began on November 6, 2016, the SDF liberated roughly 560 km² in Northern Raqqa.
On 10 December, 2016, the SDF launched the second phase of the Euphrates Wrath, during which it captured over 2500 km² in Western Raqqa.
On 4 February, 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces launched the third phase of the Euphrates Wrath Operation, and liberated dozens of villages in Eastern Raqqa from ISIS jihadists.
The campaign is ultimately aimed at liberating the city of Raqqa from ISIS extremists.
Reporting by: Dilber Issa | Source: ARA News
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