Isolation of Syria's Raqqa to Be Completed Within 'Next Few Weeks' - Pentagon

The phase to encircle and isolate Daesh's stronghold of Raqqa in Syria continues and will be completed within several weeks, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. John Dorian said.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Dorrian explained the isolation phase is intended to eliminate the ability of Daesh to get fighters and equipment in and out of the city.

"The Raqqa isolation phase will be completed within the next few weeks," Dorian stated on Wednesday.

"Once Raqqa is isolated, Islamic State [Daesh] will not be able to reinforce fighters in Raqqa and those in the city will not be able to get out," Dorrian explained.

The Turkish military has not yet participated in the offensive to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh, Dorrian said.

"They have not [participated] so far. They have been focused on Al Bab and other areas."

Dorrian noted that the coalition is "open" to Turkey playing a role in the Raqqa operation and added talks concerning Ankara’s participation remain ongoing.

Operation Wrath of Euphrates aiming to recapture Raqqa from Daesh was launched on November 5, 2016. The second stage of the operation led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) started on December 10.

Daesh captured Raqqa in January 2014 and the city has served as its center of operations since.