MESOP TODAYS UPDATE RAQQA : PKK/PYD Led Forces Declare Offensive to Take ISIS-Held Raqqa

Taking advantage of the Iraqi-Kurdish attack on ISIS in Mosul in neighboring Iraq, the SDF — led by the Kurdish militia YPG — issued an announcement on Sunday of the “Wrath of the Euphrates” offensive.“The general command of the Syria Democratic Forces announces the blessed start of its major military campaign to liberate the city of Raqqa,” Jehan Sheikh Amad, an SDF spokeswoman, told a news conference in Ain Issa, 50 km (31 miles) north of Raqqa.Video claimed to show SDF men and equipment mobilizing, with commanders claiming advances of about 10 km (6 miles).

Trying to ease concerns about a Kurdish-led assault on a mainly-Arab city, the commanders proclaimed, “Raqqa city will be liberated with the aid of its people be it Kurds, Arabs, or Turkmen.” They emphasized “the cooperation of the global coalition”.

Since the creation of the SDF in autumn 2015, the US has provided support with airstrikes, arms, and special forces in the campaign against the Islamic State. Despite Turkish warnings against any operations west of the Euphrates, the SDF crossed the river in December and took the main ISIS position in Aleppo Province, the city of Manbij, in June.

The SDF said on Thursday that it will not accept Turkish involvement in the offensive. Ankara in turn is suspicious of the SDF because it believes the YPG is part of the Turkish Kurdish insurgency PKK.

US officials — including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford — are in Ankara discussing the situation with the Turkish leadership. A well-placed local analyst that it is likely that the YPG will only take territory around Raqqa, and that Arab groups — including units of the Free Syrian Army — will move into the city.