- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US to Continue Anti-Daesh Strikes to Support Operation to Liberate Syrian Raqqa

© REUTERS / Senior Airman Matthew BruchUS Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles are designed to conduct airstrikes in Syria and Iraq
US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles are designed to conduct airstrikes in Syria and Iraq - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The United States will continue to launch airstrikes in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces' advance on the northern city of Raqqa, US Department of Defense spokesman Peter Cook said in a press briefing.

Syrian Democratic forces and an armed man in uniform identified by them as US special operations forces (R) are seen in the village of Fatisah in the northern Syrian province of Raqa on May 25, 2016 - Sputnik International
Syrian Democratic Forces Make Progress With Coalition Aid in Raqqa Operation
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the launch of the operation Wrath of Euphrates to retake Raqqa from the jihadists.

"We will continue to support partnered forces on the ground in Syria as they begin the isolation of Raqqa, and we will continue to work closely with all members of the international coalition to ensure the success of this operation," Cook told reporters on Monday.

Cook alaso said that that the coalition has necessary resources to carry out simultaneous air strikes against radicals in Iraq's Mosul and Syria's Raqqa.

"We anticipate that there will be significant air support provided both, to the campaign in Mosul and in to the campaign to isolate and ultimate liberate Raqqa," Cook told reporters. "We are confident we have those resources now."

The spokesperson noted that the United States will continue to consult with the coalition members to determine if any adjustments need to be made to the airstrike campaign in the future.

"Right now we are confident we have the resources we need to carry out both, but I am not going to predict exactly what the number of strikes will be going forward as this progresses," Cook concluded.

The Wrath of Euphrates force includes a reported 30,000 fighters, including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians and Armenians. According to media reports, US special forces are backing the advance.

Daesh captured the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2013.  In 2014 it was deemed the terrorists’ headquarters in Syria.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала