Global Coalition returns to Raqqa as ISIS activity spikes
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Years after its abrupt 2019 withdrawal from the region, the US-led Global Coalition has returned to Raqqa in order to conduct anti-ISIS operations.
On Wednesday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) announced that the Coalition was participating in a security campaign dubbed “Operation Retaliation for Raqqa Martyrs”.
The Coalition is mainly providing air and intelligence support for this mission.
Days before Turkey launched its invasion of areas of northeast Syria in October 2019, Coalition forces withdrew from Raqqa, Tabqa, Kobani and Manbij.
During the first day of the Raqqa operation, the joint forces captured 68 ISIS militants, including the ‘Wali of Raqqa’, a regional Islamic State (ISIS) leader, according to an SDF statement.
Combing operations were conducted in the town of al-Karama, 30 km east of Raqqa, al-Mansoura, a town west of Raqqa, and the towns of Sarrin and al-Jarniyah.
All in all, 75 ISIS suspects have been arrested.
Latest Activity
In the weeks leading up to the operation, there had been US activity in Raqqa. A high-level delegation of the US and the Coalition visited the offices of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Raqqa following the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the city’s liberation from the extremist group.
The delegation was headed by Nikolas Granger, US Senior Representative to Northeast Syria, and met with officials of the AANES and the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).
At the time, Granger emphasized that the partnership with SDF would continue until ISIS was inflicted a lasting defeat.
On October 17, the fifth annual anniversary of the liberation of Raqqa, the Global Coalition celebrated the occasion.
US patrols entered the city of Raqqa as leaks alleged that the Global Coalition intended to re-establish a base in the city.
Reasons behind the return
According to figures released by the Global Coalition, 55 ISIS militants were captured in the city of Raqqa in 2022. However, operations remained restricted.
The participation of the Coalition in the joint operation follows increased ISIS activity in Raqqa. In June 2022, ISIS-linked inmates at the Raqqa Central Prison rioted before being subdued by local security forces.