Raqqa, ISIS ‘Capital,’ Is Captured, U.S.-Backed Forces Say

[CaliCat 3,957]

At long last, something we can all call a win. 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/world/middleeast/isis-syria-raqqa.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

 

BEIRUT, Lebanon — American-backed forces said on Tuesday that they had seized the northern Syrian city of Raqqa from the Islamic State, a major blow to the militant group, which had long used the city as the de facto capital of its self-declared caliphate.

Celebrations erupted in Raqqa, where residents had lived under the repressive rule of militants who beheaded people for offenses as minor as smoking. Fighters could be seen cheering and firing celebratory gunfire in the streets, according to residents reached by phone and text message.

The United States Central Command stopped short of declaring victory, saying “more than 90 percent of Raqqa is in S.D.F. control,” a reference to the Syrian Democratic Forces, an American-backed militia group made up of Syrian Kurds and Arabs.

Col. Ryan S. Dillon, a spokesman for the United States military in Baghdad, said Tuesday that Raqqa was on the verge of being liberated, but that there were still pockets of the city controlled by the Islamic State. Syrian Democratic Forces officers, however, were emphatic in phone interviews and public statements that they had finally wrested control of the city from the militants after a monthslong campaign.

“The military operation is over,” said Talal Salo, a commander reached by phone at the group’s headquarters in Hasaka.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

  On 10/17/2017 at 7:47 PM, CaliCat said:

At long last, something we can all call a win. 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/world/middleeast/isis-syria-raqqa.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

 

BEIRUT, Lebanon — American-backed forces said on Tuesday that they had seized the northern Syrian city of Raqqa from the Islamic State, a major blow to the militant group, which had long used the city as the de facto capital of its self-declared caliphate.

Celebrations erupted in Raqqa, where residents had lived under the repressive rule of militants who beheaded people for offenses as minor as smoking. Fighters could be seen cheering and firing celebratory gunfire in the streets, according to residents reached by phone and text message.

The United States Central Command stopped short of declaring victory, saying “more than 90 percent of Raqqa is in S.D.F. control,” a reference to the Syrian Democratic Forces, an American-backed militia group made up of Syrian Kurds and Arabs.

Col. Ryan S. Dillon, a spokesman for the United States military in Baghdad, said Tuesday that Raqqa was on the verge of being liberated, but that there were still pockets of the city controlled by the Islamic State. Syrian Democratic Forces officers, however, were emphatic in phone interviews and public statements that they had finally wrested control of the city from the militants after a monthslong campaign.

“The military operation is over,” said Talal Salo, a commander reached by phone at the group’s headquarters in Hasaka.

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Mad dog and Trump kicking behinds and keeping score . Love it 

[CaliCat 3,957]

  On 10/17/2017 at 7:51 PM, Nature Boy Flair said:

Mad dog and Trump kicking behinds and keeping score . Love it 

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Me too. It is just like when Obama and the SEAL captured Bin Laden. A small victory to the world.

Edited October 17, 2017 by CaliCat

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

  On 10/17/2017 at 7:53 PM, CaliCat said:

 

Me too. It is just like when Obama and the SEAL captured Bin Laden. A small victory to the world.

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I agree 100%. 

[eieio 1,594]

  On 10/17/2017 at 7:51 PM, Nature Boy Flair said:

Mad dog and Trump kicking behinds and keeping score . Love it 

Expand  

It is amazing what the US military and allies can do when we allow the generals to do what needs to be done.