FILE IMAGE. Source: https://anfenglish.com/
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the village of Assadiyah in the northern Raqqa countryside. Some experts describe the village as an northern entrance to the city. However, the SDF have so far not been able to capture the nearby 17th Division base. Thus, the group cannot enter the ISIS stronghold even if it wants.
A video from Assadiyah:
SDF Forces have captured the town of Assadiyah (الاسديه) near #Raqqa‘s 17th Div Army Base. Here is Quwat al-Nukhba forces touring. pic.twitter.com/UOC7kdc10b
— Nathan Ruser (@Nrg8000) May 30, 2017
In eastern Raqqa, the SDF captured the village of Raqqa Samra, the last village that had been conrolled by ISIS in the area. Thus, SDF units reached the eastern entrance of Raqqa.
In the southern countryside of Raqqa, the SDF captured the villages of Abu Kabi Gharbi and Abu Kabi Sharki after the withdrawal of ISIS fighters. It looks that the SDF may encircle Raqqa from the southern direction.
According to unconfirmed reports, US special forces carried out a landing operation in northwest of Raqqa, where they managed to capture two ISIS commanders.
During the last 24 hours, US-led coalition warplanes destroyed 12 ISIS oil tankers near Al-Bukamal in Deir Ezzor province, and carried out eight airstrikes on positions and vehicles of ISIS in the Raqqa countryside and Tabqah.
The ISIS-linked news agency Amaq published a video showing the communications center in Raqqa city completely destroyed as a result of an airstrike by the US-led coalition air power.
Screenshots from the video:
Click to see the full-size image
Click to see the full-size image
