Pentagon Claims US Sees Syrian Military Advancing Toward Raqqa

The United States has seen an advance by the Syrian Army with the support of the Russian military toward de facto Daesh's capital Raqqa, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Army Col. Christopher Garver told reporters on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Garver was asked whether the Syrian Army continues to move from west to east toward Raqqa and if the Russian military was continuing to support that movement.

"We try not to be the spokesperson for the Syrians or the Russians, but we have seen their movement toward Raqqa," Garver stated. "They are to the south and west of Raqqa, and they are heading in that direction."

Garver noted he will not get into the specific intent behind what the Syrian and Russian militaries will do, but said that “it looks like they are heading toward Raqqa at that point."

“What’s important for us is first of all anything that puts pressure on Daesh, we support. But there is no coordination between us and those forces at this time,” he added.

At the same time, the Syrian army supported by Russian aviation and the Syrian Democratic Forces, which mostly consists of Kurdish militia, are trying to free Raqqa from Daesh terrorists.

On Saturday, the Syrian army entered the Raqqa province after advancing in a major offensive against Daesh militants.

The Syrian government has had no presence in Raqqa since August 2014. Liberating the city, where some believe Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is living, has long been seen as key to crippling the terrorist organization.