Click to see the full-size map
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominatly consisting of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), have been advancing along the Euphrates River east of the ISIS stronghold of Raqqah.
On March 14, SDF units, backed by the US-led coalition air power, retook the village of Khass Hibal and the nearby grain silos from ISIS terrorists.
This advance allowed the SDF to deploy closer to Judayat Khabour, Hamad Assaf and Al Kulayb from which Kurdish forces had retreated earlier this month.
SDF unts have to retake these villages as well as the areas near Hamrat Balasim and Hamrat Nasir in order to isolate Raqqah from the eastern direction.
