RAQQA – The Wrath of Euphrates Operation Command announced the balance sheet for the third phase in the ongoing Operation Wrath of Euphrates.

640 square km land was liberated and 272 ISIS members were killed in the third phase of the Operation Wrath of Euphrates.

The press briefing by the Wrath of Euphrates Operation Command Spokesperson Jihan Sheikh Ahmad in al-Manaxir was attended by Raqqa Civil Assembly members and commanders of the campaign.

The statement released by the Wrath of Euphrates Operation Command is as following:

“In the third phase of the military campaign to liberate Raqqa city and villages from Daesh (ISIS) terror, our forces advanced from two fronts. Those advancing on Bîr al-Hiba front east of Raqqa liberated an area of 540 square kilometers. This territory involves the al-Karama town, one of the strategic locations for the gangs in the region.

Our forces advancing on Abu Khasab front liberated an area of 100 square kilometers, which involves several villages and hamlets. The civilians in the liberated areas were rescued from the gangs. Our professional units cleared the mines in the liberated villages and enabled the locals to return home.

The welcoming of the people

We salute the resistance of our commanders and fighters that wrote an epic with their struggle, broke the attacks of ISIS gangs and defeated them. We also thank the local residents who welcomed our fighters with open arms and assisted them in the offensives against the gangs.

A large part of villages in east Raqqa liberated

Our forces; with YPG,YPJ, Deir ez-Zor Military Council and Nuxbe forces under the SDF umbrella, supported by airstrikes of the anti-ISIS international coalition, in addition to units of professional experts and advisors have liberated a larger part of east Raqqa from the gangs.

Administration to be given to Raqqa Civil Assembly

We repeat once again that the administration of the liberated areas will be taken over by the Raqqa Civil Assembly. SDF forces will actively accomplish the defense of the region and protect civilians from terrorist Daesh gangs. We give the good news that the liberation of Raqqa from gangs is near.”

BALANCE SHEET

A DShK-mounted military vehicle was destroyed.

5 military vehicles were destroyed.

12 bomb-laden vehicles were destroyed.

4 motorcycles were destroyed.

3 Katyusha-type arms were destroyed.

A heat-sensitive missile was destroyed.

An ammunition depot of the gangs was bombed.

272 ISIS members were killed during clashes and the bodies of 67 members, large quantities of arms and ammunitions were seized by our fighters. A plant where gangs produced medicine and arms were located.

14 Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters fell as martyrs whilst carrying out a heroic fight against the gangs during this phase of the campaign.