مشاهد من عمليات التمشيط التي تقوم بها #قوات_سوريا_الديمقراطية في #الرقة pic.twitter.com/RM2DTx72f0
— قوات سوريا من الجبهة (@QSD_Jabha) 20 July 2017
On Thursday, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) entered Nezlit Shehada district in the southern part of Raqqa city. During its advance, the SDF killOKed 9 ISIS fighters, but didn’t capture the district.
سيطرت #قوات_سوريا_الديمقراطية على عدة نقاط استراتيجية في حي نزلة شحادة جنوب #الرقة ،وأسفرت الاشتباكات عن قتل 9 افراد من عناصر #داعش الإرهابي pic.twitter.com/yRzPFvethh
— قوات سوريا من الجبهة (@QSD_Jabha) 20 July 2017
Fierce clashes also broke out in Al-Shaddadi district and the New Vegetable Market. The SDF also claimed that 18 others ISIS fighters were killed during clashes in Raqqa, including a military commander, and discovered IED plant during its advance.
كل يوم #تنظيم_الدولة يواجه خسائر جديدة تبدأ من مقتل 18 من عناصره واحدهم هو امير الى تقدم و سيطرة #قسد على اراضي جديدة و مصانع المفخخات pic.twitter.com/vEIYATW6Yv
— قوات سوريا من الجبهة (@QSD_Jabha) 20 July 2017
From its side, ISIS claimed that its members killed 6 SDF fighters in the Al-Farosiah Roundabout area in Raqqa city. 2 SDF fighters were allegedly killed after they had been targeted with an IED in the Panorama Roundabout in the western part of the city.
The ISIS-linked News Agency Amaq also published photos of clashes inside the city.
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
Click to see the full-size map
According to opposition sources, 54 civilians lost their life in Raqqa during the last 24 hours as a result of the shelling of the area by the US Marines and the SDF as well as as a result of airstrikes of the US-led coalition.
Earlier this week, the US-led coalition increased its air strikes inside Raqqa city. The US Marines artillery used phosphorus shells against the civilian areas of the city again.
The US is seeking to seize Raqqa as soon as possible. The goal is to take the city and to push towards Deir Ezzor earlier than Syrian government forces.
