Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)
The Raqqa campaign[88] (codenamed Operation Wrath of Euphrates) was a military operation launched in November 2016 during the Rojava–Islamist conflict by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Raqqa Governorate, with the goal of isolating and eventually capturing the Islamic State's capital city, Raqqa. The SDF's subsidiary goals included capturing the Tabqa Dam, the nearby city of al-Thawrah,[89] and the Baath Dam further downstream.[90] The campaign ended successfully in October 2017, with the capture of Raqqa.
Not to be confused with Northern Raqqa offensive, Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (June 2016), or Battle of Raqqa (2017).The offensive was concurrent with the Battle of Sirte in Libya, the Battle of Mosul in Iraq, the Battle of al-Bab in the Aleppo Governorate, the Palmyra offensive, the reignition of fighting in Deir ez-Zor's siege, the Central Syria campaign, and the Mayadin offensive.
Announcement[edit]
The SDF officially announced the start of the operation on 6 November 2016, in the city of Ayn Issa.[96] The intention was to proceed in two phases, first seizing areas around Raqqa and isolating the city, advancing from three fronts, then taking control of the city itself.[97] The SDF general command called for the international coalition against ISIL to support the operation.[98] Secretary of Defense Ash Carter welcomed the announcement.[99]
Refugees return to their hometown of Al-Hisbah, after the SDF captured it from ISIL.
SDF technicals in the northwestern countryside on 12 December 2016
Temporary camp of the SDF near Mahmudli on 17 December 2016
Fighters of the Tell Abyad Revolutionaries Brigade and the YPG warm themselves at a campfire.
Kurdish YPG fighters during the offensive on 24 December 2016
The town of Mahmudli on 4 January 2017, three days after its capture by the SDF
SDF fighters in Mahmudli on 4 January 2017
SDF fighters at Qal'at Ja'bar on 10 January 2017
SDF fighters in front of Qal'at Ja'bar on 10 January 2017
YPJ fighters on 7 February 2017
A YPG sniper near the Euphrates
SDF fighters in Tabqa, 13 May 2017
A SDF fighter in combat in Raqqa city, 8 June 2017
SDF fighters walk through a destroyed area in the suburbs of Raqqa, 13 June 2017
SDF fighters in Raqqa's downtown, 12 July
SDF fighters in Raqqa, 12 July
