Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)

Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) was a military operation launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Arab militias, with the support of the United States-led Coalition against ISIS, to capture the city of Raqqa from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The campaign was a key part of the War against the Islamic State and involved coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Kurdistan Peshmerga. The operation was also supported by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force, among other Coalition against ISIS members, including Australia, Canada, and Germany.

Background

The Syrian Civil War had been ongoing since 2011, with various factions, including the Syrian Arab Army, Free Syrian Army, and Jabhat al-Nusra, vying for control of the country. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) had established a stronghold in Raqqa and surrounding areas, declaring it the capital of its Caliphate. The United States-led Coalition against ISIS had been conducting airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq since 2014, with the support of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Arab militias had also been fighting against ISIL in northern Syria, with the support of the United States and the European Union. The Russian Air Force had also been involved in the conflict, conducting airstrikes in support of the Syrian Arab Army and its allies, including Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Campaign

The Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) began in November 2016, with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launching a series of operations to capture territory surrounding Raqqa. The SDF was supported by United States-led Coalition against ISIS airstrikes and Special Operations Forces (SOF) on the ground. The campaign involved coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Kurdistan Peshmerga, as well as other Coalition against ISIS members, including Australia, Canada, and Germany. The SDF also received support from the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force, among other coalition members. The Turkish Armed Forces had also been involved in the conflict, conducting operations against ISIL and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria. The Israeli Air Force had also conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Syria.

Battle of Raqqa

The Battle of Raqqa (2017) began in June 2017, with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launching a final assault on the city of Raqqa. The battle involved intense urban warfare, with the SDF facing fierce resistance from ISIL fighters. The United States-led Coalition against ISIS provided significant support to the SDF, including airstrikes and Special Operations Forces (SOF) on the ground. The British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force also conducted airstrikes in support of the SDF, as did other Coalition against ISIS members, including Australia, Canada, and Germany. The Russian Air Force had also been involved in the conflict, conducting airstrikes in support of the Syrian Arab Army and its allies, including Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Arab militias played a key role in the battle, with the support of the United States and the European Union.

Aftermath

The Battle of Raqqa (2017) ended in October 2017, with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) capturing the city of Raqqa from ISIL. The victory marked a significant turning point in the War against the Islamic State, with ISIL losing its de facto capital and a key stronghold in Syria. The United States-led Coalition against ISIS continued to support the SDF, with the goal of defeating ISIL and stabilizing the region. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Arab militias continued to play a key role in the conflict, with the support of the United States and the European Union. The Russian Air Force and the Syrian Arab Army also continued to be involved in the conflict, with the support of Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Turkish Armed Forces had also been involved in the conflict, conducting operations against ISIL and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria.

Order of Battle

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) order of battle during the Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) included the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the Syrian Arab Coalition, and other Arab militias. The SDF was supported by the United States-led Coalition against ISIS, including the United States Army Special Forces, the British Special Air Service, and the French Special Forces. The Coalition against ISIS also included other members, such as Australia, Canada, and Germany, which provided airstrikes and other support to the SDF. The Russian Air Force and the Syrian Arab Army also had an order of battle in the region, with the support of Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Turkish Armed Forces had also been involved in the conflict, conducting operations against ISIL and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, with the support of the Free Syrian Army and other Turkish-backed militias.

Category: Military campaigns