“The first stage has been recently completed as the troops managed to achieve its goal – to establish the Syrian Democratic Forces’ control over the area between the Suluk and Eyn Issa villages. In the near future the second stage will start. Raqqa will be liberated, which will be a fatal blow to jihadists,” Hido said.
He positively assessed the first stage of the operation saying that Daesh suffered heavy losses and lost large territories. The SDF also cleared about 1,200 mines and explosive devices planted by terrorists.
Hido added that the second stage would imply encircling Raqqa, while the assault would take place at the third stage.
Operation Euphrates Rage, aimed at liberating the Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh, outlawed in Russia, was launched on November 5. By November 11, SDF reportedly advanced to area within 18 miles from Raqqa.
SDF was formed in 2015 as the defense force of northern Syria's de facto autonomous Rojava federation and is supported by the US-led coalition.
