ERBIL – The US special envoy in the anti-ISIS campaign Brett McGurk in a briefing last Friday concerning last years progress in war praised the sacrifices of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa and confirmed US troops will stay in Syria.

“I also want to recognize our partner, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), for their sacrifices in liberating approximately 50,000 square kilometers from ISIS, including what had been its de-facto capital of Raqqa,” McGurk said.



“At the start of this year, ISIS was planning major external attacks from Raqqa; today, Raqqa is no longer an ISIS sanctuary, thanks to the SDF, which suffered over 1,000 casualties in an extremely difficult five-month battle,” he said.

However, he added the fight is still going on in Syria. “As I write this letter, SDF units are engaged in operations to remove ISIS from the Euphrates River Valley, and we anticipate these operations will continue over the first quarter of 2018,” he said.



“The focus will then shift to stabilization, and the United States is prepared to remain in Syria until we are certain that ISIS is defeated, stabilization efforts can be sustained, and there is meaningful progress in the Geneva-based political process pursuant to UNSCR 2254, ultimately leading to constitutional reform and UN-supervised elections,” he added.



Moreover, the official added that there is a need for significant Coalition contributions to support stabilization in areas of Syria we have helped liberate from ISIS.



“Stabilization is non-political, life-saving work: removal of explosive remnants of war, restoration of water, electricity, and health services. I would ask all of you to find ways to contribute, whether through the Syrian Recovery Trust Fund, NGOs on the ground in Syria, or other coordinated means,” he said.



“Through the donor consortium our Coalition established this year in Amman, we can connect your experts with specific and essential projects, such as de-mining critical infrastructure in Raqqa, restoration of water pumping stations, or refurbishing electricity grids. Our aim is to enable return of Syrians displaced by ISIS and to help local citizens take charge of their areas as we work on a national settlement in Geneva,” he concluded.



“Such an enduring victory over ISIS requires the global coalition's continued commitment to the security and stabilization of liberated areas. In Raqqa, for example, the SDF and the Raqqa Internal Security Forces are conducting an important and dangerous mission,” U.K. Army Major General Felix Gedney, Deputy Commander of the US-led coalition said in a press briefing last Wednesday.



“They're bravely searching for and removing the many improvised explosive devices and booby traps left behind by ISIS terrorists, so local residents can return to their homes and get back to their lives,” he added.



“Despite this overwhelming threat, areas are returning to normalcy as the Raqqa Civil Council, SDF and RISF call out areas as safe to return. Such efforts to establish safety and security help pave the way for civilian-led efforts to address local needs,” he concluded.