Field Commander: Clashes between Kurds, Arabs Delaying SDF Operations to Liberate Raqqa

“Involvement of a coalition of Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Christian and Turkmen forces into the Raqqa battle is in line with the US plots, in collaboration with Turkey, against Syria,” Faras Shaboul told FNA.

“Among the reasons for the formation of such a coalition from different tribes in Syria is the US and Turkey’s agreement to confront an integrated Kurdish force which can take control of all Kurds in the future,” he added.

Shaboul said that the clashes between the Kurds and Arabs have delayed the SDF operations to advance towards Raqqa, adding that the Syrian army could use the conditions to move towards Raqqa.

Meantime, the latest reports from Raqqa said that the Syrian army continued advances towards Tabaqa Military Airport and managed to retake full control of a key road in Northeastern province of Raqqa.

According to a field source, after recapturing vast areas of the Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway, pro-gov’t forces took back the last 5 km of the highway that leads up to the Rasafeh Crossroad in Western Raqqa.

Reports said today that the Syrian army troops, backed up by massive Russian air support, won another battle against the ISIL and entered the strategic al-Rasafeh triangle only 25 kilometers away form al-Tabaqa airbase in Western Raqqa.

The Syrian soldiers and navy commandoes launched a fresh round of joint offensives against the ISIL strongholds in al-Rasafeh desert from two directions of al-Nabaj and al-Harbiyat and entered al-Rasafeh triangle.