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Syria conflict: Kurds begin campaign north of IS-held Raqqa Syria conflict: Kurds begin campaign north of IS-held Raqqa
(about 4 hours later)
A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters has begun a campaign to expel Islamic State (IS) militants from the countryside north of Raqqa.A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters has begun a campaign to expel Islamic State (IS) militants from the countryside north of Raqqa.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is believed to have about 30,000 personnel, said the aim was to prevent attacks on nearby towns it controlled.The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is believed to have about 30,000 personnel, said the aim was to prevent attacks on nearby towns it controlled.
US-led coalition warplanes will support the offensive.US-led coalition warplanes will support the offensive.
The SDF did not mention any plan to take Raqqa, the de facto capital of the "caliphate" proclaimed by IS in 2014.The SDF did not mention any plan to take Raqqa, the de facto capital of the "caliphate" proclaimed by IS in 2014.
The alliance, which is dominated by the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia, has emerged as a key ally of the US-led coalition over the past two years, leading the fight against IS on the ground in northern Syria.The alliance, which is dominated by the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia, has emerged as a key ally of the US-led coalition over the past two years, leading the fight against IS on the ground in northern Syria.
With the help of US airpower, it has taken control of some 26,000 sq km (10,000 sq miles) of territory, including a 400 km (250 mile) stretch along the Turkish border.With the help of US airpower, it has taken control of some 26,000 sq km (10,000 sq miles) of territory, including a 400 km (250 mile) stretch along the Turkish border.
'Ensuring security''Ensuring security'
SDF spokesman Rojda Felat wrote on Twitter that the goal of the new offensive was to "liberate northern Raqqa" and those living under IS "oppression". SDF commander Rojda Felat wrote on Twitter that the goal of the new offensive was to "liberate northern Raqqa" and those living under IS "oppression".
"The campaign is aimed at repelling terrorist attacks on Shaddadi, Tal Abyad and Kobane, ensuring the security of our people," he added. "The campaign is aimed at repelling terrorist attacks on Shaddadi, Tal Abyad and Kobane, ensuring the security of our people," she added.
An SDF source told the Kurdish news agency, Rudaw, that the campaign was launched from the town of Ain Issa, 50km (30 miles) north of Raqqa.An SDF source told the Kurdish news agency, Rudaw, that the campaign was launched from the town of Ain Issa, 50km (30 miles) north of Raqqa.
The source said fighters would be "advancing to the villages of Big Fatiseh, Small Fatiseh and Tishi, in order to clear them of [IS] militants first".The source said fighters would be "advancing to the villages of Big Fatiseh, Small Fatiseh and Tishi, in order to clear them of [IS] militants first".
A Baghdad-based spokesman for the US-led coalition, Col Steve Warren, said the SDF operation was aimed at "putting pressure on Raqqa", but not taking the city.A Baghdad-based spokesman for the US-led coalition, Col Steve Warren, said the SDF operation was aimed at "putting pressure on Raqqa", but not taking the city.
The SDF fighters had so far met little resistance, he added.The SDF fighters had so far met little resistance, he added.
The anti-IS activist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), reported that there had been air strikes on IS positions north of Raqqa on Tuesday, and that intense fighting had erupted around the village of Heisha.The anti-IS activist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), reported that there had been air strikes on IS positions north of Raqqa on Tuesday, and that intense fighting had erupted around the village of Heisha.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Moscow was ready to co-ordinate with the SDF and the US on the offensive.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Moscow was ready to co-ordinate with the SDF and the US on the offensive.
The SDF's announcement followed a meeting between officials in the alliance and a top US commander in northern Syria on Saturday.The SDF's announcement followed a meeting between officials in the alliance and a top US commander in northern Syria on Saturday.
Gen Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, made the secret trip to check on the 200 US military personnel who were advising the SDF on the ground.Gen Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, made the secret trip to check on the 200 US military personnel who were advising the SDF on the ground.
The US wants to increase the number of Arab fighters in the SDF, which is currently comprised of at least 25,000 Kurds and between 5,000 and 6,000 Arabs, before trying to retake Raqqa.The US wants to increase the number of Arab fighters in the SDF, which is currently comprised of at least 25,000 Kurds and between 5,000 and 6,000 Arabs, before trying to retake Raqqa.
Col Warren said approximately 3,000 to 5,000 IS fighters were inside Raqqa.Col Warren said approximately 3,000 to 5,000 IS fighters were inside Raqqa.
IS seized the city in August 2013, five months after it became the first Syrian provincial capital to fall to rebel forces seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad.IS seized the city in August 2013, five months after it became the first Syrian provincial capital to fall to rebel forces seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad.
The jihadist group quickly established its headquarters there and began imposing its vision of a state, implementing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.The jihadist group quickly established its headquarters there and began imposing its vision of a state, implementing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.