Several developments took place on the third day of Operation Liberate North Raqqa as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continues its advance.

THIRD DAY OF THE OPERATION

* SDF forces seized ammunitions from the gangs killed in Nemrûdiyê village 6 kms to the east of Eyn îsa town liberated around 10:40 on the second day of the operation. SDF bomb experts continued their mine search and sweeping efforts throughout the day.

* New fighters arrived at the frontline as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) operation to liberate North Raqqa.

* SDF forces hit ISIS positions in the villages of El Milêhan, El Edriyê, Til Mifîş and El Hîşê in North Raqqa with heavy weaponry.

* SDF forces killed 10 ISIS gangs during the clashes in Hişe village 8 kms to the south of Eyn Îsa around 16:25, and continued their advance southwards.

* SDF announced that 2 more villages, Mitemeşric and Hezeriyat, were liberated, 20 ISIS gangs were killed, and one enemy mortar was destroyed on May 25.

* As the SDF initiative entered its 3rd day, reports came from Raqqa stating that ISIS gangs in the city were in panic. Local sources reported that many ISIS gangs escaped from Raqqa with their families and settled in villages to the south of Raqqa city.

* As ISIS gangs in Raqqa panic because of the SDF operation, they use civilians as human shields and prevent them from leaving the region.

* SDF announced that the operation has been going as planned so far.

LIBERATION OPERATION IN ARAB PRESS

The operation of SDF forces to liberate North Raqqa receives attention from both international and Arab press. El Cerîde newspaper used the headline ‘ISIS loss in Raqqa’ in its front page, and stated that ISIS gangs deployed many weapons and ammunitions to the city in order to save their ‘caliphate capital.’ The newspaper also noted that ISIS gangs withdrew southwards after the launch of the SDF operation that brought together Arab and Kurdish fighters against ISIS cruelty.

El Hayat newspaper also covered the operation and said that ISIS gangs began to fortify their positions in the city. The newspaper also published an interview with SDF official spokesperson Talal Ali Sülo.

REFUGEES FROM RAQQA ARRIVE AT KOBANÊ AND SEREKANİYE

As the SDF fighters’ Operation Liberate North Raqqa continues, many refugees from Minbic and Raqqa arrived at the Miştenûr Camp in Kobanê and the Mabrouka Refugee Camp in Serêkaniyê. Camp officials greeted the refugees, many of whom are women and children. The refugees expressed their belief in the liberation of their lands and in their return to Raqqa.

REFUGEES IN KOBANÊ: WE FULLY TRUST SDF FORCES

The number of refugees from Raqqa escaping ISIS cruelty and arriving at Serêkaniyê and Kobanê increases daily, and the refugees say that many of their relatives still live under the occupation and cruelty of ISIS gangs that pillage houses and torture civilians in North Raqqa. Lastly, the refugees state that they fully trust SDF forces will end ISIS cruelty in the region and protect the interests of civilians.

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