Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) order of battle explained

In course of the Raqqa campaign (2016–2017), an international coalition, primarily composed of the Syrian Democratic Forces and CJTF–OIR, captured the Raqqa Governorate from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which had declared Raqqa city the capital of its self-proclaimed caliphate.

Anti-ISIL forces

Syrian Democratic Forces and integrated units

See main article: Syrian Democratic Forces.

SDF general headquarters - Gen. Mazlum Kobane (chief commander of the SDF),^[1] Rojda Felat (leading operations commander),^[2] Sipan Hemo (YPG chief commander),^[3] Cihan Shekh Ahmed (spokeswoman),^[2] Col. Talal Silo (spokesman), Brig. Gen. Hussam Awak (high-ranking commander)^[4]

• People's Protection Units (YPG),^[5] under command of Sipan Hemo
  • Kobanî Brigade, led by Shevgar Himo^[6]
  • Units from Afrin Canton^[7]
  • Many other sub-units, led by Murat Amed,^[8] Merdali Süleymanovun (alias "Çiya Rûs", killed on 23 April 2017),^[9] and various other commanders (of which at least 7 were killed by 14 March 2017)^[10]
  • PKK units
  • Western leftist/anarchist YPG volunteers (c. 75+)
  • International Anti-Fascist Battalion, led by Karim Franceschi^[11]
  • Non-leftist international volunteers^{[12] [13]}
• Women's Protection Units (YPJ), under command of Rojda Felat^{[14] [15] [16]}
  • Units from Afrin Canton^[7]
  • Many other sub-units, commanded by Diljin Kobani,^[17] Clara Raqqa,^{[18] [19]} Zagros Qamishlo,^[20] and others
• Anti-Terror Units (YAT)^[21]
• Syriac Military Council (MFS), under command of Kino Gabriel^[22]
  • Bethnahrain Women's Protection Forces^[23]
  • International volunteers^[24]
• Khabour Guards
  • Martyr Joel Hanna group^{[25] [26]}
• Nattoreh, under command of Robert Ichou^[27]
  • • Raqqa Hawks Brigade Ghanim group,^[28] under command of Fayad Ghanim^[29]
  • Northern Union, under command of Abu Yamen al-Meko ^[30]
  • Martyr Tasleem Jimmo Brigade, under command of Aboud al-Hafez^[31]
  • Other sub-units, led by Abu Saleh al-Hindawi,^[32] Abu Mustafa,^[33] and others

• Tell Abyad Revolutionaries Brigade, under command of Abu Yazan^[34]
• Raqqa Martyrs Brigade, under command of Abu Sayaf
• Liberation Brigade
• Free Raqqa Brigade, under command of Abu Wael^[35]
• Jazeera Knights^[36]
• Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa, under command of Abu Issa^[37]
  • Various sub-units, led by Capt. Abu al-Qasim al-Shammari, Farhan Abu Asker,^[38] Abdullah al-Helu, and others^[39]

• Army of Revolutionaries,^[40] under the command of Ahmad Sultan^[41]
  • Kurdish Front, under the commander of Ali Çiçek^[42]
  • Seljuk Brigade
    • Hammam Turkmen Martyrs Brigade
  • Tribal Forces, under the command of Abu Raad Bakary^[43]
  • Homs Commandos Brigade
  • Martyr Qasim Areef Battalion^[40]
• Northern Democratic Brigade
• Manbij Military Council,^[44] under the command of Muhammad Mustafa Ali, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Adel, since September 2017.^{[45] [46]} The council was previously led by Adnan Abu Amjad until his death on 29 August 2017.^[47] The field commander of the council in Raqqa is Dilsuz Hashme.^[48]
  • Northern Sun Battalion, under command of Muhammad Mustafa Ali^[49]
    • Soldiers of the Two Holy Mosques Brigade^[50]
  • Euphrates Liberation Brigade,^[50] led by Ibrahim Semho^[48]
• Syria's Tomorrow Movement, under the official leadership of Ahmad Jarba^[51]
  • Elite Forces,^{[52] [53]} commanded by Muhedi Jayila^[54]
    • Saadallah al-Jabiri Battalion,^[55] led by Muhammad Ramadan until his death on 16 March 2017^[56]
• Liwa Owais al-Qorani remnants^[57]
• Al-Sanadid Forces, under command of Bandar al-Humaydi

• Deir Ezzor Military Council,^[53] under command of Ahmad Abu Khoula^{[58] [59]}
  • Sub-units led by Khalid Awad (killed on 22 February),^{[60] [61]} and others
• Raqqa Regiment, led by Hassan Khalil^[62]
• Northern Brigade faction, led by Mihemed Al Musa ^[63]
• Local pro-SDF tribes and militias^{[64] [65] [66]}

Self-Defense Forces (HXP)^[67] - Siyamend Welat (chief commander of HXP)

• Elements of the 3rd Brigade

Police

• Jazira Canton Asayish units^[68]
  • SWAT units (HAT)^[69]
• Raqqa Internal Security Forces,^[70] led by Edrees Hamo and others^[71]

International Freedom Battalion^[72]

• MLKP
  • MLKP/KKÖ^[73]
• United Freedom Forces
  • Revolutionary Communard Party, led by Ulaş Bayraktaroğlu (killed in May 2017)^[74]
  • THKP-C/MLSPB
• TKP/ML TİKKO, led by Nubar Ozanyan (killed in August 2017)^[75]
• Bob Crow Brigade^[76]
• International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla Forces (IRPGF)^[77]
  • TQILA ^[78]
• RUIS^[79]

Sinjar Resistance Units ^[80]
Êzîdxan Women's Units,^{[80] [81]}

• PUK Peshmerga Counterterrorism Group^[82]

CJTF–OIR

See main article: Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

CJTF–OIR general headquarters - Maj. Gen. John W. Brennan (chief commander), Brig. Gen. Karl Harris^[83] (deputy commander)

• United States Armed Forces, under the command of CENTCOM, which is led by Kenneth F. McKenzie^[84]
  • United States Air Force
    • United States Air Force Combat Control Team^[85]
  • ^[86]
  • United States Marine Corps
    • 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
      • 1st Battalion, 4th Marines^[87]
  • United States special operations forces^[88]
    • 75th Ranger Regiment^[89]
    • 5th Special Forces Group

• British Armed Forces
  • Royal Air Force^[90]
  • British special forces^[91]
    • Special Air Service^[92]
• French Armed Forces
  • French Air Force
  • French special forces^[93]
• Bundeswehr
  • German Air Force^[94]

Syrian government and allies (co-belligerent)

See main article: Syria.

• Syrian Arab Army^{[95] [96]}
  • Tiger Forces^[96]

• Russian Armed Forces
  • Russian Air Force^[97]

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

See main article: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

ISIL headquarters - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (self-proclaimed caliph and commander-in-chief);^{[98] [99]} Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti (leading commander for Raqqa defences 11–26 December);^{[100] [101]} Abu Khattab al-Tunisi (ISIL high command member)^[102]

ISIL military forces ("Diwan al-Jund")^[103]

• Field army (organized into infantry, snipers, air defence, special forces, artillery forces, and the army of adversity)^[104]
  • Defences of Al-Thawrah, under command of Abu Saraqeb al-Maghribi^[105]
    • Sub-units in al-Thawrah District, led by various emirs, including Abu Umar al-Almani (killed on 25 March),^[106] Abu Zubeyir (killed on 2 April),^[107] and a Jordanian, who secretly worked as spy for CJTF–OIR until being extracted by US special forces in April^[108]
  • Defences of Raqqa city; the eastern city was under command of Abu Khattab al-Tunisi until his death on 10 June 2017.^[109] At least some of the ISIL holdouts in Raqqa by October 2017 were under the command of a man known as "Abu Osama".^[79]
    • Large number of foreign mujahideen ^{[110] [111] [112] [113]}
    • Local pro-ISIL militias^[1]
  • Defences of al-Fakhikha, under command of a lower-ranking local commander/official, who was arrested by ISIL around 8 January on charges that he might have sold information to the Kurds or CJTF–OIR
  • Other sub-units, led by Abu Zur al-Tunisi and Bilal al-Shawwash (both deserted to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham around 7 December),^[114] Abo Hamza Riadiat (killed on 8 January), and others
• Caliphate Army (elite forces)
  • Katibah Nusantara elements,^[115] led by Zainuri Kamaruddin until his death on 13 January^[116]
  • Rapid Response Battalion, personally led by Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti until his death^[117]
• Caliphate Cubs (child soldiers)
  • Abu Ubada al-Shami, one of the leading commanders and recruiters for the Caliphate Cubs, surrendered to the SDF on 20 Aug. 2017^[118]
• Committee for Military Manufacturing and Development
  • Aviation sector
    • Al Bara’ bin Malik Brigade

• External operations networks, led by Abd al-Basit al-Iraqi (killed by an airstrike on 12 November)^[119]
  • Network of Boubaker Al-Hakim (reported killed by an airstrike on 26 November), including sub-units led by Salah Gourmet, Sammy Djedou, and Walid Hamman (all killed on 4 December)^{[120] [121]}
• Units responsible for contacts and coordination among ISIL forces, led by Abo Sufian al-Orani until his death on 8 January.^[122]

Administration

• Wilayat Raqqa, under ISIL Governor Abu Luqman.
  • Majority of al-Breij tribe
  • Elements of al-Ajeel tribe
  • Elements of al-Na'im tribe
• Islamic police (Hibsa), led by Abu Muhammad al-Jazrawi since his appointment around 31 December
  • Al-Khansaa Brigade^[123]
• Intelligence and propaganda networks, overseen by Mahmoud al-Isawi until his death on 31 December by an airstrike^[124]
  • Ahmad Abousamra, a leading ISIL propagandist, was killed by an airstrike north of al-Thawrah city in January 2017^[125]
• Ministry of Information, led by Abu Ahmed al-Souri until he was replaced by Abu Jandal al-Masri around 31 December

See also

• Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)
• Order of battle for the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017)

Bibliography

• Harp. Seth. 23 February 2017. The Anarchists vs. ISIS. Rolling Stone. New York City. Wenner Media LLC. 42–49.
• Eyeing Raqqa: A tale of four tribes. Tabler. Andrew J.. 2017. Policy Notes. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 38. Washington, D.C.. 24 March 2017. 25 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170325201856/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PolicyNote39-Raqqa.pdf. dead.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Syrian Kurdish commander: We're 'ready to engage' with Damascus . Amberin Zaman . . 26 September 2017. 28 September 2017.
2. Web site: Third phase of Raqqa campaign announced. Rudaw. 5 February 2017.
3. Web site: Kurdish YPG leader says attack on Raqqa city to start in April. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 18 March 2017. 18 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019180908/http://aranews.net/2017/03/kurdish-ypg-leader-says-attack-on-raqqa-city-to-start-in-april/. 19 October 2017. dead.
4. News: Thuwar Raqqa imposes a condition to return to the "Euphrates Wrath". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 20 May 2017. 22 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602134627/http://en.eldorar.com/node/5749. 2 June 2017. dead.
5. Web site: Who is taking part in Ghadab al-Firat campaign?. Hawar News Agency. 8 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161109061439/http://en.hawarnews.com/who-is-taking-part-in-ghadab-al-firat-campaign/. 9 November 2016. dead.
6. Web site: The city fit for no-one. Inside the ruined 'capital' of the Islamic State group . Quentin Sommerville . Riam Dalati . . 27 September 2017. 28 September 2017.
7. Web site: They returned to Afrin after their participation in al-Raqqa liberation. Hawar News Agency. 7 November 2017. 20 December 2017. 22 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105056/http://en.hawarnews.com/they-returned-to-afrin-after-their-participation-in-al-raqqa-liberation/. dead.
8. Web site: Welcome to Raqqa, a photo-essay from the frontlines. Joey L.. SOFREP. 3 August 2017.
9. Web site: YPG: Çiya Rûs yoldaşımız şehit düşmüştür . tr. ANF News. 24 April 2017.
10. Web site: 7 commanders of the Syria Democratic Forces were killed in the continued operation of "Euphrates Wrath" in the countryside of Al-Raqqah. SOHR. 15 March 2017.
11. News: Tonacci . Fabio . 29 December 2016 . La brigata degli italiani con i curdi verso Raqqa: "Ma a casa non sanno che qui combattiamo" . it . . . 8.
12. Web site: Japanese YPG fighter: Kurds, Arabs and foreign volunteers work together against ISIS in Syria. https://web.archive.org/web/20170426125006/http://www.aranews.net/2017/04/japanese-ypg-fighter-kurds-arabs-and-foreign-volunteers-work-together-against-isis-in-syria/. dead. 26 April 2017. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 23 April 2017.
13. Web site: Kurds confirm death of third US volunteer as part of Raqqa campaign. ARA News. 27 January 2017. 27 January 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202035439/http://aranews.net/2017/01/kurds-confirm-death-third-us-volunteer-part-raqqa-campaign/. 2 February 2017.
14. Web site: SDF commander: The Ayn Issa front advanced to Raqqa by 10km. Hawar News Agency. 6 November 2016. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161116020803/http://en.hawarnews.com/sdf-commander-the-ayn-issa-front-advanced-to-raqqa-by-10km/. 16 November 2016. dead.
15. Web site: Kurdish female fighters playing key role in battle for Raqqa. ARA News. Enwer Omar. 26 December 2016. 1 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212202157/http://aranews.net/2016/12/kurdish-female-fighters-playing-key-role-in-battle-for-raqqa/. 12 December 2017. dead.
16. Web site: Wrath of Euphrates Operations Room, commandant Rojda Felat, Northern Raqqa. YPG. 10 December 2016. 1 January 2017. 2 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170102085235/https://www.ypgrojava.org/Wrath-of-Euphrates-Operations-Room,-commandant-Rojda-Felat,-Northern-Raqqa. dead.
17. Web site: Morale is high among anti-Islamic State fighters marching on Raqqa. Middle East Eye. 6 November 2016.
18. Web site: Wrath of Euphrates: campaign successfully advances, 98 villages, hamlets liberated. Hawar News Agency. 12 February 2017. 12 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170213164123/http://en.hawarnews.com/wrath-of-euphrates-campaign-successfully-advances-98-villages-hamlets-liberated/. 13 February 2017. dead.
19. Web site: Female Commander Leads Anti-IS Fighters in Hometown Raqqa . Voice of America. Mahmoud Bali. 12 June 1017.
20. Web site: US-backed Syrian Forces Push Deeper into Raqqa . Voice of America. 8 June 1017.
21. Web site: VICTORY – Mission Tabqa Dam Complete, joint US SpecOps retake vital dam from ISIS. John Sjoholm. Lima Charlie. 23 March 2017. 15 April 2017.
22. Web site: 550 km2 liberated, Wrath of Euphrates reveals outcomes. Hawar News Agency. 14 November 2016. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161116021124/http://en.hawarnews.com/550-km2-liberated-wrath-of-euphrates-reveals-outcomes/. 16 November 2016. dead.
23. Web site: SDF marching on Raqqa is mix of ethnicities, religions, genders. Rudaw. 7 November 2016.
24. Web site: Rosaries and rifles: Syria Christians take on IS in Raqa. Agence France-Presse. Agence France-Presse. al-Monitor. 29 June 2017. 2 July 2017.
25. 891344605131804672. ver_scholl_en. Joel Hanna fell martyr in summer 2015, most recent graduating class of trainees named for him . 29 July 2017.
26. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1164645640307515&id=690780204360730
27. Web site: NATURO participate in al-Jazeera Tempest . Agiri Ibrahim . . 5 October 2017 . 5 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171019191958/http://en.hawarnews.com/naturo-participate-in-al-jazeera-tempest/ . 19 October 2017 . dead.
28. Web site:
    1. Syria - Raqqa suspicious factions with the PYD
    . Raqqa Post. Yallasouriya. 7 September 2016. 13 March 2017.
29. Web site: A military commander" we will besiege gangs on all sides". Hawar News Agency. 7 November 2016. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170512154509/http://en.hawarnews.com/a-military-commander-we-will-besiege-gangs-on-all-sides/. 12 May 2017. dead.
30. Web site: Would Assad regime Go into on the battle of #Raqqa ?. El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 20 February 2017. 13 March 2017.
31. Web site: Fighters from all al-Raqqa clans participate in the liberation camiagn. Hawar News Agency. 2 April 2017. 2 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170402175418/http://en.hawarnews.com/fighters-from-all-al-raqqa-clans-participate-in-the-liberation-camiagn/. 2 April 2017. dead.
32. Web site: Wrath of Euphrates fighters head for al-Sokeri. Hawar News Agency. 20 November 2016. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170512155344/http://en.hawarnews.com/wrath-of-euphrates-fighters-head-for-al-sokeri/. 12 May 2017. dead.
33. Web site: Every fighter in al-Raqqa has a story to tell. Hawar News Agency. 4 January 2017. 23 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009185209/http://en.hawarnews.com/every-fighter-in-al-raqqa-has-a-story-to-tell/. 9 October 2017. dead.
34. Web site: US, Iraq Back Syrian Kurdish-led March on Raqqa, Turkey Objects. Zlatica Hoke. Voice of America. 7 November 2016. 20 February 2017.
35. arabthomness. 807605175758241792. 11 December 2016.
    1. Syria: the #SDF coalition (#YPG, local #FSA, allied arab tribes) have launched the second stage of the offensive to liberate #Raqqa
    .
36. Web site: Fursan al-Jazîra Brigades join SDF ranks. Hawar News Agency. 8 April 2017. 8 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816171327/http://en.hawarnews.com/fursan-al-jazira-brigades-join-sdf-ranks/. 16 August 2017. dead.
37. Web site: SDF: Phase 2 of Raqqa campaign begins, sights set on al-Tabqa dam. 11 December 2016.
38. Web site: Raqqa offensive: Flood fears as SDF forces near Islamic State-held dam. Middle East Eye. 12 January 2017. 4 February 2017.
39. Web site: Casualties in Damascus and Al-Raqqah. SOHR. 14 February 2017.
40. Web site: Great War for the liberation of Raqqa begins. Hawar News Agency. 6 June 2017. 6 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170609051250/http://en.hawarnews.com/great-war-for-the-liberation-of-raqqa-begins/. 9 June 2017. dead.
41. Web site: Video: SDF Official Stating to Qasioun the Latest Military Updates in Raqqa. Qasioun News Agency. 12 August 2017. 13 August 2017. 19 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019084053/http://www.qasioun.net/en/news/show/89574/Video_SDF_Official_Stating_to_Qasioun_the_Latest_Military_Updates_in_Raqqa. dead.
42. Web site: ISIS will have no power left after Raqqa: Commander. Firat News Agency. 27 September 2017.
43. Web site: Tribal forces: Our goal is liberation tenderness and all Syrian territory from terrorism. Hawar News Agency. 19 June 2017. 19 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170624030417/http://www.hawarnews.com/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7/. 24 June 2017. dead.
44. Web site: 200 fighters from Manbij to join Raqqa operation, SDF gets closer to Tabqa centre. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 18 April 2017. 18 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170419101805/http://aranews.net/2017/04/200-fighters-manbij-join-raqqa-operation-sdf-gets-closer-tabqa-centre/. 19 April 2017. dead.
45. Web site: Muhammad Abu Adel, MMC new commander. Hawar News Agency. 18 September 2017. 18 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180123113143/http://en.hawarnews.com/muhammad-abu-adel-mmc-new-commander/. 23 January 2018. dead.
46. Web site: Mohammed Abu Adel as General Commander of the Manbaj Military Council. Furat FM Radio. 17 September 2017. 18 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170918154653/http://furatfm.com/2017/09/17/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%88-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9/. 18 September 2017. dead.
47. Web site: SDF: Manbij commander Adnan killed in Raqqa offensive. Rudaw Media Network. 30 August 2017.
48. Web site: Inside The Fight To Retake Raqqa From ISIS. Aris Roussinos. Aris Roussinos. 19 September 2017.
49. Web site: Shams al-Shamal fighters participating in Wrath of Euphrates. Hawar News Agency. 2 January 2017. 2 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170823023244/http://en.hawarnews.com/shams-al-shamal-fighters-participating-in-wrath-of-euphrates/. 23 August 2017. dead.
50. Web site: MMC and SDF liberated 2 km2 of al-Tabqa. Hawar News Agency. 22 April 2017. 22 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010025339/http://en.hawarnews.com/mmc-and-sdf-liberated-2-km2-of-al-tabqa/. 10 October 2017. dead.
51. Web site: 3,000 Arab fighters to be deployed under SDF banner for Raqqa battle. Rudaw. 2 February 2017.
52. Web site: Elite Forces led by former Syrian opposition chief join SDF in fight against ISIS. ARA News. 11 December 2016. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170826000403/http://aranews.net/2016/12/elite-forces-led-former-syrian-opposition-chief-join-sdf-fight-isis/. 26 August 2017. dead.
53. Web site: Syrian Democratic Forces launch second phase of Raqqa Operation. ARA News. 10 December 2016. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161213053518/http://aranews.net/2016/12/syrian-democratic-forces-launch-second-phase-raqqa-operation/. 13 December 2016. dead.
54. Web site: More Arab fighters join Kurdish-led SDF in fight for Raqqa. ARA News. Heysem Haci. 5 February 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212203210/http://aranews.net/2017/02/arab-fighters-join-kurdish-led-sdf-fight-raqqa-2/. 12 December 2017. dead.
55. Web site: Syrian elite forces enter dignity stronghold city Daesh. Elaph. Bahia Mardini. 26 March 2017.
56. Web site: Forces (elite Syrian) mourns the death of one of its fighters. All4Syria. Saeed Jawdat. 16 March 2017.
57. Syria_Rebel_Obs. 795521792412647425. 6 November 2016. EXCLUSIVE SRO - Former leader of the main #Tabqa #FSA factions, Liwa Owais al-Qarni, entered Northern Federation days ago.
58. Web site: Al-Raqqa isolation from Deir ez-Zor is imminent. Hawar News Agency. J.O.. 26 February 2017. 26 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614151725/http://en.hawarnews.com/al-raqqa-isolation-from-deir-ez-zor-is-imminent/. 14 June 2017. dead.
59. Web site: قيادي في قسد لـ"قاسيون": عقب السيطرة على الرقة سنتجه نحو ديرالزور (فيديو) - وكالة قاسيون للأنباء. 18 February 2017. 9 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009201625/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/44454/%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D9%82%D8%B3%D8%AF_%D9%84%D9%80%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%A8_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9_%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%87_%D9%86%D8%AD%D9%88_%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1_%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88. dead.
60. Web site: Wrath of Euphrates announces death of commander in DeirEzzor Military Council Khalid Awad . Syria Live Map. 22 February 2017.
61. Web site: More than 40 barrels target the west of Rif Dimashq and more fighters of Syria Democratic Forces killed in clashes at the eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah. SOHR. 22 February 2017.
62. Web site: Arab fighters struggle to assert role in Raqqa assault. Reuters. John Davison. 16 August 2017.
63. Web site: Former Euphrates Shield group joined SDF . YPG. 4 September 2017. 9 September 2017.
64. Web site: SDF: 2480 square kilometers liberated during Phase II of Raqqa Campaign. YPG Rojava. 18 January 2017.
65. Web site: عشيرة العجيل بشيوخها وشبانها تساند قوات سوريا الديمقراطية - ANHA. www.hawarnews.com. 2 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170426151904/http://www.hawarnews.com/%d8%b9%d8%b4%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d8%ac%d9%8a%d9%84-%d8%a8%d8%b4%d9%8a%d9%88%d8%ae%d9%87%d8%a7-%d9%88%d8%b4%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%87%d8%a7-%d8%aa%d8%b3%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%af-%d9%82%d9%88/. 26 April 2017. dead.
66. Web site: 200 more youths from Raqqa join the Operation Wrath of Euphrates. ANF News. 2 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170402083304/http://www.anfenglish.com/news/200-more-youths-from-raqqa-join-the-operation-wrath-of-euphrates. 2 April 2017. dead.
67. Web site: Self-defense fighters join Wrath of Euphrates. Hawar News Agency. J.O. 5 February 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170206104142/http://en.hawarnews.com/self-defense-fighters-join-wrath-of-euphrates/. 6 February 2017. dead.
68. News: Kurdish police backs SDF forces in Raqqa operation. https://web.archive.org/web/20170523155529/http://aranews.net/2017/05/kurdish-police-backs-sdf-forces-raqqa-operation/. dead. 23 May 2017. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 20 May 2017. 22 May 2017.
69. Web site: Raqqa: Qasioun Lens Inside Tabaqa City And Euphrates Dam 13-5-2017. Qasioun News Agency. 14 May 2017. 16 May 2017.
70. News: US-led coalition trains Raqqa Internal Forces to run post-ISIS city. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 21 May 2017. 22 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170523061429/http://aranews.net/2017/05/us-led-coalition-trains-raqqa-internal-forces-to-run-post-isis-city/. 23 May 2017. dead.
71. Web site: Raqqa Internal Security established by Kurdish-led SDF. Hisham Arafat. Kurdistan 24. 27 May 2017.
72. Web site: 'Raqqa's fall will bring the end of Erdoğan'. Sinan Deniz. ANF News. 13 November 2016. 26 January 2017.
73. Web site: Four martyrs of Raqqa operation laid to rest. ANF News. 1 June 2017. 7 June 2017.
74. Web site: BÖG Chief Commander martyred in Raqqa operation. Sinan Deniz. ANF News. 10 May 2017. 10 May 2017.
75. Web site: TKP/ML-TİKKO Commander in Rojava falls a martyr . ANF News . 16 August 2017. 17 August 2017.
76. Web site: Bob Crow brigade '30 miles' from IS-stronghold of Raqqa in Syria. Middle East Eye. Alex MacDonald. 30 August 2016. 1 April 2017.
77. News: Moore. Jack. FIRST LGBT UNIT CREATED TO FIGHT ISIS IN SYRIA. ITS NAME? THE QUEER INSURRECTION. 25 July 2017. Newsweek. 25 July 2017.
78. Web site: SDF official denies existence of LGBT military unit in Raqqa. https://web.archive.org/web/20170727174902/http://aranews.net/2017/07/sdf-official-denies-existence-lgbt-military-unit-raqqa/. dead. 27 July 2017. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 27 July 2017.
79. News: The fall of Raqqa: hunting the last jihadists in Isis's capital of cruelty . Martin Chulov . . 6 October 2017. 10 October 2017.
80. Web site: Şengal's YJŞ: heading for al-Raqqa to liberate Yazidi women. Hawar News Agency. 3 July 2017. 3 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806191642/http://en.hawarnews.com/sengals-yjs-heading-for-al-raqqa-to-liberate-yazidi-women/. 6 August 2017. dead.
81. News: 'We want revenge': Meet the Yazidi women freeing their sisters from Isis in the battle for Raqqa . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raqqa-latest-yazidi-women-fighters-ygs-isis-massacre-syria-iraq-a7988461.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live . Bethan McKernan . . 8 October 2017. 10 October 2017.
82. Web site: Did Kurdistan's Counter-Terrorist Group assault the Tabqa Dam in Syria?. SOFREP. Jack Murphy. 23 March 2017.
83. Web site: Coalition general says SDF forces to take Raqqa from ISIS, not Turkey. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216215732/http://aranews.net/2017/02/coalition-general-says-sdf-forces-to-take-raqqa-from-isis-not-turkey/. dead. 16 February 2017. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 17 February 2017. 18 February 2017.
84. Web site: Top US general visits Kurdish-led SDF troops amidst ongoing Raqqa operation. https://web.archive.org/web/20170226050012/http://aranews.net/2017/02/top-us-general-visits-kurdish-led-sdf-troops-amidst-ongoing-raqqa-operation/. dead. 26 February 2017. Wladimir van Wilgenburg. ARA News. 25 February 2017. 25 February 2017.
85. Web site: Trump's Middle Eastern War, A Bay of Pigs in the making. John Sjoholm. Lima Charlie. 8 February 2017. 8 March 2017.
86. Web site: US F/A-18E Shoots Down Syrian Su-22 in Air-to-Air Kill. Oriana Pawlyk. Military.com. 18 May 2017. 19 June 2017.
87. News: Marines have arrived in Syria to fire artillery in the fight for Raqqa. Dan Lamothe. Thomas Gibbons-Neff. The Washington Post. 8 March 2017. 8 March 2017.
88. Web site: More US special forces for Raqqa than Manbij: monitor. NOW. 8 November 2016. 9 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161109022510/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567485-more-us-special-forces-for-raqqa-than-manbij-monitor. dead.
89. Web site: The 75th Ranger Regiment hits the ground in Syria for Raqqa offensive. SOFREP. 6 March 2017.
90. Web site: Operation Raqqa: British RAF pilots to switch bombing raids to 'the heart' of Isil. The Daily Telegraph. Steven Swinford. 25 December 2016. 16 January 2017.
91. Web site: Kurdish-led forces take strategic village from ISIS west of Raqqa. Zaman Alwsl. 1 January 2017.
92. Web site: Britain admits elite troops involved in capture of Tabqa dam, airbase from ISIS. Paul Antonopoulos. al-Masdar News. 4 April 2017. 4 April 2017. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180928132106/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/britain-admits-elite-troops-involved-in-capture-of-tabqa-dam-airbase-from-isis/. dead.
93. Web site: Kurdish-Arab Forces in Syria Make Gains in Raqqa Province. Voice of America. Sirwan Kajjo. 21 December 2016.
94. Web site: Zivile Opfer in Syrien. Bundeswehr in verheerenden Luftschlag involviert. Tagesschau (Germany). Volkmar Kabisch. Reiko Pinkert. de. 29 March 2017. 29 March 2017.
95. Web site: Syrian army advances west of Raqqa: Hezbollah military media unit . Reuters . 13 June 2017 . 13 June 2017.
96. Web site: Syrian Army kicks off Raqqa offensive in a big way, key oil field liberated . Al-Masdar News . 13 June 2017 . 13 June 2017 . Fadel, Leith . 27 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201127140724/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-kicks-off-raqqa-offensive-big-way-key-town-liberated/ . dead .
97. Web site: Russia bombs ISIS positions in Raqqa. Hozan Mamo. ARA News. 18 February 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170219004345/http://aranews.net/2017/02/russia-bombs-isis-positions-in-raqqa/. 19 February 2017. dead.
98. Web site: Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is still alive, says Pentagon. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-latest-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-alive-pentagon-terror-us-a7502966.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live. Independent.co.uk. 30 December 2016.
99. Web site: US aware of recent Baghdadi movements. Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon. Correspondent. CNN. 29 December 2016 .
100. Web site: U.S.-backed force in Syria advances towards IS-held dam. Reuters. 27 December 2016. 27 December 2016.
101. Web site: ISIS 'war committee' member killed in airstrike near Raqqa. 29 December 2016. Rudaw. 29 December 2016.
102. Web site: In battle for Raqqa, Syrian Democratic Forces make steady advances. SYRIA:Direct. Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim. Mohammed Al-Haj Ali. Justin Schuster. 12 June 2017. 16 June 2017.
103. Web site: Islamic State Training Camps and Military Divisions. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. 24 June 2015. 20 February 2017.
104. Web site: Inside 'The Caliphate Army': ISIS's Special Forces Military Unit Of Foreign Fighters. International Business Times. Alessandria Masi. 3 March 2015. 31 December 2016.
105. Web site: Islamic State replaces Syrian officials by foreign jihadists in Raqqa. ARA News. Haytham Mustafa. 31 December 2016. 31 December 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170101091249/http://aranews.net/2016/12/islamic-state-replaces-syrian-officials-foreign-jihadists-raqqa/. 1 January 2017.
106. Web site: Abu Omar al-Almany was killed. Hawar News Agency. 26 March 2017. 26 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170326225937/http://en.hawarnews.com/abu-omar-al-almany-was-killed/. 26 March 2017. dead.
107. Web site: SDF kills ISIS commander near al-Tabqa town in northern Syria. Ahlul Bayt News Agency. 2 April 2017.
108. Web site: The coalition withdrew a Jordanian spy, who had served as a Daesh emir, in the recent landing operation in Deir Ezzor. Deirezzor24. 8 April 2017. 10 April 2017. 25 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180125145640/http://en.deirezzor24.net/the-coalition-withdrew-a-jordanian-spy-who-had-served-as-a-daesh-emir-in-the-recent-landing-operation-in-deir-ezzor/. dead.
109. Web site: Top ISIS military official killed by SDF fire in Raqqa city. ARA News. Dilber Issa. 12 June 2017. 16 June 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617235943/http://aranews.net/2017/06/top-isis-military-official-killed-by-sdf-fire-in-raqqa-city/. 17 June 2017.
110. Web site: Dissident assured on IS' collapse, mass fleeing situations . Hawar News Agency. 17 June 1017.
111. Web site: Kurdish troops withdraw from east Raqqa suburb as ISIS launches fresh counter-offensive. Chris Tomson. al-Masdar News. 1 July 2017. 2 July 2017. 9 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709072745/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kurdish-troops-withdraw-east-raqqa-suburb-isis-launches-fresh-counter-offensive/. dead.
112. Web site: US-backed forces enter Islamic State stronghold within Raqqa. Thomas Joscelyn . The Long War Journal. 4 July 2017. 13 July 2017.
113. Web site: Only grains and legumes in Al-Raqqah kitchens and ISIS opens the way for about 3000 people to flee the escalated clash areas . SOHR. 5 August 2017. 7 August 2017.
114. Web site: 2 Top IS Commanders Reportedly Flee Raqqa. VOA News. Sirwan Kajjo. 20 November 2016.
115. Web site: Three Malaysian ISIS jihadists killed in Raqqa airstrike. Channel NewsAsia. Amy Chew. 15 January 2017. 18 February 2017. 17 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170117141443/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysian-is-leader-killed-in-syria-recruited-members-through/3440248.html. dead.
116. Web site: Three Malaysian ISIS jihadists killed in Raqqa airstrike. ARA News. Laila Majdalawi. 16 January 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171012084150/http://aranews.net/2017/01/three-malaysian-isis-jihadists-killed-in-raqqa-airstrike/. 12 October 2017. dead.
117. 815626322517127168. DanieleRaineri. Abu Muhammad al Adnani named the.... 9 February 2017 . 1 January 2017.
118. Web site: IS Group's Children recruiting officer surrenders to SDF militias. Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 20 August 2017. 28 August 2017. 24 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824052711/http://aldorars.com/en/news/1191. dead.
119. Web site: US-led coalition killed emir of Islamic State's 'Middle East external networks'. The Long War Journal. Thomas Joscelyn. 17 November 2016. 17 November 2016.
120. Web site: Pentagon: 2 Paris attack facilitators killed in US airstrike in Raqqa, Syria. Thomas Joscelyn. Long War Journal. 13 December 2016.
121. Web site: Islamic State militant linked to Charlie Hebdo attack could still be alive: Iraq. Reuters. 15 April 2017.
122. Web site: After the assassination of al-Omrani, IS starts another execution campaign. SOHR. 8 January 2017. 8 January 2017.
123. Web site: Strategic significance of Tabqa. MAHİR YILMAZKAYA. ANF News. 27 March 2017. 7 June 2017.
124. Web site: US airstrike kills ISIS propaganda chief in Raqqa. Sedredin Kino. ARA News. 7 January 2017. 7 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111204829/http://aranews.net/2017/01/us-airstrike-kills-isis-propaganda-chief-in-raqqa/. 11 November 2017. dead.
125. Web site: US-educated ISIS propagandist killed in Syria. The Daily Star (Lebanon). 6 April 2017. 7 January 2017. 7 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170407090930/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2017/Apr-06/400897-us-educated-isis-propagandist-killed-in-syria.ashx. dead.