Led by YPG and YPJ forces, Wrath of Euphrates Operation Room fighters continue their advance on Raqqa, which is the heart of ISIS gang groups in Syria. The initiative came after extensive military, political and diplomatic preparations, and SDF and International Coalition officials decided to launch the operation on November 5.

WHICH GROUPS PARTICIPATE IN THE INITIATIVE?

SDF forces led by YPG and YPJ fighters are leading the initiative, and several Arab groups within the SDF take an active role. Assyrian Military Council and the Internationalist Freedom Brigade also take part in the operation, and International Coalition forces provide aerial support.

YPG, YPJ, Lîwa Siqûr al Raqqa, Lîwa al Tehrîr, Lîwa Şuheda al Raqqa, Turkmen Şuheda Hemam Brigade, Lîwa Ahrar al Rakka, Thuwar Til Ebyed, Assyrian Military Council, the Internationalist Freedom Brigade and several Turkmen, Arab and Kurdish Units make up the Wrath of Euphrates Operation Room, which launched the initiative on November 5.

ON WHAT BASIS DID THE LIBERATION INITIATIVE DEVELOP?

The people’s uprisings in 2011 had transformed into a civil war in Syria after the direct and indirect interventions of international and regional powers. Civilians got trapped between the oppressive, monist and brutal Ba’athist regime and gang groups such as ISIS, al Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al Islam that occupied, raped, pillaged and tortured. This transformed Syria into a large prison where the values of humanity were trampled on a constant bases. When the SDF liberated Hol, Tishreen, Sheddade and Manbij, the foundations for the fraternity of peoples in Rojava and Syria were created.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE FIRST PHASE?

* Two SDF branches launched the first phase of Wrath of Euphrates Initiative from the towns of Êyn Îsa and Silûk on the night of November 5.

* Within ten days, SDF forces liberated an area of 550 km2 with a width of 12 kms and length of 46 kms from ISIS gang groups.

* A total of 34 villages, 31 hamlets and 5 strategic hilltops were liberated from ISIS.

* Below are the names of the villages SDF liberated during the first phase of Wrath of Euphrates Operation: al Qetah, al Leqta, Xelef al Beg, Sheikh Deham, Siran, Sheikh Hesen, Xinêz Foqanî, Xinêz Westanî, Hayîs, al Xidir, Corih, Um Sifa, Ebdulhadî, Celîl, al Heyderiye, Molihyan, Moteqtele, Ketle, al Ebdelah, Qermoh, al Erac, Tel Doban, al Îşe, al Xitwan, al Hineyan, Nayîf, al Wehîd and Hizrayat.

* Below are the names of the strategic hilltops SDF liberated during the first phase of Wrath of Euphrates Operation: al Soran, Minbetih, Shahan, al Mifteş, Recêl and Hayîs.

* An electricity plant and a water distribution center were also liberated from the gangs.

* In total, 167 ISIS gangs were killed, bodies of 34 gangs were seized, and 3 gangs were captured alive during the first 10 days of the operation.

* SDF forces destroyed 12 car bombs before they reached their targets, as well as 14 military vehicles, 8 machine guns, 4 rocket propellers, 3 trucks, 6 artillery and 8 motorcycles.

* SDF forces diffused 240 mines laid by ISIS gangs and seized many guns and ammunition.

* Civilians returned to their villages after their houses and land were completely demined.

* Operation Liberate Raqqa is expected to continue until Raqqa city and its suburbs are fully liberated from ISIS gangs.

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF CIVILIANS?

The first phase of Wrath of Euphrates Initiative ended successfully. An area of 550 kms including dozens of villages, hamlets and strategic hilltops were liberated and ISIS gangs’ defense lines to the north of Raqqa were broken. SDF forces opened corridors to evacuate thousands of civilians, ensured these peoples’ passage to safe zones, and provided them with crucial life supplies. SDF experts demined and destroyed explosives laid by ISIS in all liberated areas. Civilians returned to their houses and can now live in peace and security.