BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is preparing to enter Raqqa city in northern Syria for the first time since 2013, a military source told Al-Masdar News.
According to the source, the Syrian Arab Army has begun moving its troops to the area around the city as they have been given the green light to enter once the U.S. Armed Forces withdraw.
The source said the U.S. military has already begun withdrawing from Al-Raqqa, adding that the Syrian Army will not enter until all of the former’s forces are gone from the city.
This is a major development in northern Syria as the Syrian Army’s return to Raqqa marks the first time since 2013 that their troops will enter this city in northern Syria.
Raqqa was previously the Islamic State’s capital city during their reign of terror in both Syria and Iraq.
The city was previously captured by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Jabhat Al-Nusra during their 2013 offensive in northern Syria.
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