RAQQA - “On behalf of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces, we proudly announce to you by the city of Raqqa the victory of our forces in the great battle to defeat the Daesh terrorist organization,” the general command of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced in the Black Stadium on Friday, that was once used as a prison to torture and execute people.



“We call on all countries and forces that love freedom and peace, and all humanitarian and international organizations to participate in the reconstruction and construction of Raqqa city and its countryside, and to help remove the remnants of war and destruction left by the organization,” the SDF said, with all the different factions present that participated in the liberation of Raqqa.



The SDF estimates that it might take two months before civilians will be allowed to return after cleaning of the rubble and mines.



134 days to liberate Kobani and now Raqqa



“Our victory is a victory over terrorism and its brutality. The liberation of Raqqa is the final chapter of the epic of confrontation and the fight against Daesh terrorism in Syria [ISIS] that we launched in the city of the resistance Kobani, and the spirit of resistance shown by the fighters during the Kobani resistance in 134 days, and through which they managed to defeat the most brutal terrorist organization in the world for the first time, and the second was manifested in the battle for the liberation of Raqqa city, which also lasted for 134 days, and largely finished the existence of the terrorist organization as a military force threatening humanity,” the SDF said.



Raqqah was taken by Syrian opposition forces in 2013 and was embroiled in a destructive civil war before being seized by Daesh [ISIS] in January 2014, at which time the city was declared the capital of the terrorist group's so-called "caliphate,’ the US-led coalition said.



“Under Daesh, Raqqah became a magnet for foreign terrorists. Residents were forced to live under a brutal regime that routinely carried out public executions, extortions billed as "taxation," and forced conscriptions,” the coalition said. Daesh used it’s occupation to covert the city in a fortified military prison.



“The fight to liberate Raqqah commenced with Coalition Strikes against Daesh in support of the ground assault by Syrian Democratic Forces June 6. By Sept. 3, SDF had made significant gains and secured the Ancient Mosque in the old city center. This prevented the mosque from succumbing to the same fate as the Al Nuri Mosque in West Mosul, Iraq, which Daesh terrorists destroyed in June 2017,” the coalition said.



Coalition general praises SDF effectiveness



"An ethnically diverse force with local elements leading the fight, the SDF conducted a highly effective, professional operation in a difficult urban area to free the city," said Coalition director of Operations, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Braga.



"They fought tenaciously and with courage against an unprincipled enemy, taking great care to move the population trapped by Daesh away from the battle area and minimize civilian casualties," said Braga.



The liberated city will return to local governance and leadership. Raqqawis now have a chance to control their own future, the coalition said.

While symbolic, the SDF's liberation of Raqqa does not mean the end of ISIS terrorism.



"The military defeat of Daesh is essential, but not sufficient," said Coalition commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II.



"We are still fighting the remnants of Daesh in Iraq and Syria, and will continue to facilitate humanitarian efforts assisting citizens adversely affected by a brutal occupation, who face a long battle to gain their freedom," said Funk. "A tough fight still lies ahead."



“We honor the valor and considerable sacrifices of our Partner and Coalition Forces in this epic struggle to rid the region of violent extremism. Coalition and partners forces remain fully committed to the permanent defeat of Daesh in Syria and Iraq,” the coalition said..



“Raqqa fell, so this is something that we were expecting for such a long time that the day it happens, we have to celebrate that, even if we know that the fight against terrorism is not yet won,” Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told reporters on Friday.



“But it's not only a symbolic success, symbolic for the French particularly, because the orders and the instructions to start the terrorism against Bataclan in Paris came from people who were based in Raqqah. So this is something which is extremely meaningful for us. But it's we, together, won a battle but not completely the war,” he said.



US Secretary says work ‘far from over



Also Rex W. Tillerson, the US Secretary of State on Friday congratulated the Syrian people and the SDF on the liberation of Raqqa. “Our work is far from over but the liberation of Raqqa is a critical milestone in the global fight against ISIS, and underscores the success of the ongoing international and Syrian effort to defeat these terrorists,” he said.



“In January, ISIS was actively plotting terrorist attacks against our allies and our homeland in Raqqa. Nine short months later, it is out of ISIS’s control due to critical decisions President Trump made to accelerate the campaign. Over the last seven months, millions of people have been liberated from ISIS’s brutal rule and working with our partners on the ground we are setting the conditions to enable people to return home,” he concluded.



However, he added that this accomplishment also came at significant costs. “The Syrian Democratic Forces suffered many losses along the way and we join them in mourning the lives lost. We also mourn the U.S. service members, and others from the Coalition, who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life to rid the region of ISIS and protect our homeland. ISIS cruelty and barbarity cannot be overstated,” the US Secretary of State said, promising to support stabilization efforts.



“While we continue the fight to ensure ISIS is defeated militarily where it remains in Syria, the U.S. and other Coalition members are making every effort to remove explosives left by ISIS and to get critical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations,” Tillerson said.



“We are also supporting the efforts of the Raqqa Civil Council and other local Syrian actors to re-establish basic security and deliver essential services to stabilize communities, refurbish schools, and help facilitate the safe and voluntary return home of displaced Syrians,” he concluded.



A new stage to solve the Syrian crisis



Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), in her speech in Raqqa said this day is a new history for the solution of the Syrian crisis, and the liberation of Raqqa is a new stage in solving the Syrian crisis.



“I say to the families of the martyrs who sacrificed part of their family members and I commend them for the sacrifices they made. On this day, we send our message to the Syrian people and say that we must be one hand in the face of terrorism and in the face of tyranny and work on building a free, democratic and federal Syria with all its people,” Ahmed said.



“Building a peaceful and democratic Syria means security and peace for the world and the regional powers as well,” she said.



However, she urged the US-led coalition to abide by their pledges to support stabilization after the liberation if Raqqa. “We urge the international forces, and the international community and regional states to provide support in the reconstruction process so that the Syrians return to their country safely, therefore we would thank the coalition forces that SDF in order to liberate the Syrian lands that was occupied by Daesh,” she stated.



“Therefore, we hope that regional and international forces will help and support the Syrians in the reconstruction and solution and start a political solution in Syria and thank you and victory for all Syrians,” she concluded.