The U.S. intends to carry out an operation to liberate the Syrian from Raqqa militants of the “Islamic state”, together with Turkey and coalition partners. About it RIA Novosti said the state Department.
The representative of the Ministry recalled that “the Syrian democratic forces” (SDF) with the support of the US-led coalition since November 4, is already liberated from the terrorists about 6 thousand square kilometers of territory and more than 100 villages. SDF consists of armed groups of Kurds and Arabs, their approximate size — 50 thousand people. In November they started the operation to liberate Raqqa.
Before the press Secretary of the SDF Talal Village said that the Association which he represents will not allow any involvement of Turkey in the liberation of Raqqa. He also called Turkey an “occupier of Northern Syria”. For his part, Turkish foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that the operation to liberate Raqqa was discussed earlier this week at a meeting of chiefs of General staff of Turkey, USA and Russia. However, no decision was taken, and the American side faltered.
Ankara believes the Kurdish armed organization in Syria, the terrorist linked to the outlawed Turkey Kurdistan workers ‘ party. The US, for its part, is trying to bridge the gap between allies in the region and to prevent direct clashes between them. Washington rely on the Kurds as the most efficient force in the fight against ISIS, trains them and supplies weapons.
Raqqa, the informal “capital” of ISIS in Syria, recently exposed to active attacks from the air, including the Russian VKS. In particular, the city became the second in the entire history of the Syrian campaign of strikes by cruise missiles of air basing that Russian long-range aviation has made 17 February 2017.
“Islamic state” in Russia included in the list of terrorist organization, for participation in activities which provide for criminal liability.