The United States is developing an expanded training program for local Kurdish and Arab border guards in Syria, the top U.S. commander for the Middle East said, to help head off the “significant risk” of Islamic State fighters regrouping in the country. It’s an effort that could entail a longer term American and allied commitment. […]
Raqqa’s Dirty Secret: Hidden Deal to Allow Hundreds of Islamic State Fighters Escape…
The BBC has uncovered details of a secret deal that let hundreds of IS fighters and their families escape from Raqqa, under the gaze of the US and British-led coalition and Kurdish-led forces who control the city. A convoy included some of IS’s most notorious members and – despite reassurances – dozens of foreign fighters. […]
‘We’re Prisoners’: Syrians Trapped in SDF Camps After Escape from Islamic State…
Syria Charges Washington with War Crimes in Siege of Raqqa…
In the past several days, US air strikes have claimed the lives of scores of Syrian civilians, including women and children, as the Pentagon and its proxy ground forces escalate the two-month-old siege of the ISIS-controlled city of Raqqa. In the latest bombing of Raqqa nearly 50 civilians were killed or wounded, according to a […]
Shock and Anger in Mosul after Islamic State Destroys 850-Year-Old-Mosque…
UN: ‘Staggering’ Civilian Deaths in Raqqa Offensive…
Intensified coalition air strikes supporting an assault by US-backed rebel forces on Syria’s Raqqa are causing a “staggering loss of civilian life”, United Nations war crimes investigators have said. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group of Kurdish and Arab militias supported by a US-led coalition, began attacking Raqqa a week ago to take it […]
France, Germany Resist U.S. Plan for Bigger NATO Role Against Islamic State…
Brussels (Reuters) France and Germany are resisting a plan by U.S. officials for NATO to take a bigger role in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, in line with calls from President Donald Trump for the alliance to do more to combat terrorism. Many alliance members hope the plan will be announced […]
Syria – “The regime will be there” – U.S. Concedes Raqqa … And The Syrian East?…
The Stronghold of Raqqah…
The city of Raqqah is considered one of the most important Syrian cities. The city is located on the northeast bank of the Euphrates River, at the edge of “Sharqiya Syria”, a term used to describe eastern Syria. Syria’s largest dam, the Tabqah Dam is located 40 kilometers west of Raqqah. The dam is one […]
U.S. Led-Coalition: ‘Nothing Prepared Us for That Level of Civilian Casualties’…
At least 1,782 civilians were allegedly killed by coalition airstrikes in March alone, according to an analysis by Airwars — numbers the research organization says are comparable to the deadliest period of Russia’s 2016 air campaign in Syria. Of this number, Airwars assesses between 477 and 1,216 civilian casualties to be likely, meaning the organization […]