DAMASCUS, SYRIA (1:10 P.M.) – On Thusday, ISIS forces were forced to withdraw from a number of areas north of Raqqa after a swift pincer manuever conducted by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) threatened to cutoff an Islamic State salient.

With the stage five of the Euphrates Wrath offensive in full effect, Kurdish forward units managed to wrestle control over the villages of Tall Hazimah, Mazraat al-Hukumia, Kabash Gharbi Saghir, Ruwayyan and Al-Hukumia.

Effectively, ISIS commanders ordered a tactical withdrawal from some 20 nearby villages, leaving only volounteer suicide bombers and wounded fighters to defend the exposed area, indirectly signing their death warrant and likely conceeding the pocket to the SDF in the near future.

As this development is set to take place, seasoned jihadist fighters are assembling a horizontal defensive line on an axis some 10 kilometers north of the self-proclaimed Islamic State capital in a last-ditch effort to avert the looming battle for Raqqa.

Pictures of today’s SDF operations in rural Raqqa:

Chris Tomson | AMN

Chris Tomson | AMN
Chris Tomson | AMN
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Chris Tomson
Student currently living in Denmark. Special focus on news from Syria, MENA map-making and strategical military analysis.

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13 Comments on "Kurdish troops overrun more villages as ISIS sets up last defensive line before battle for Raqqa"

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miltiades
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there’s a stunning report of british historian trevor-roper about the last days at the reichskanzlei in the battle of berlin – highly recommended,, shows the loathsome weakness of those who had made all europe tremble.

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20/04/2017 15:15
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Henri Cochet
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Do you know how many men the red army lost in Berlin ?

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20/04/2017 16:51
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Stern Daler
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Times more than the German defenders.

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20/04/2017 18:11
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Henri Cochet
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Yes , that was my point . Urban warfare in fanatic environment . Raqqa will be tough just like Mosul

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20/04/2017 18:49
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The only thing they can do is not to take risks and use heavy gear. Like the Russians in Berlin.

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20/04/2017 22:16
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Simon Gunson
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Chris, please could anyone at Al Masadr write an article on the nature of relations between SDF and Syrian Government with respect to how Syria will regain control of territory under Kurdish control and especially with American presence?

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20/04/2017 13:32
Guest
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They should hire journalists who can spell…

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20/04/2017 20:40
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Stern Daler
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No matter. The lector does it normally. But You need more funds then.

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20/04/2017 22:08
Ben
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Dear People of the word….. Do you know the truth about….. Islam? Or do you think it’s about Bombing planes and killing innocent people…..? Forget about the lies….. I’ am here to tell you how it really is….. You deserve to know the truth About this beautiful way of life….. People of the world Islam is all about peace Terrorism it doesn’t teach Its all about love and family and charity And praying to one God This is Islam It’s something you should know….. I know it’s really helped me grow It does away with greed, filth, arrogance And teaches… Read more »
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20/04/2017 16:40
Pete
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Unfortunately there are hundreds of millions of muslims who would completely disagree with your particular interpretation. “Islam is all about peace” ??? To you perhaps…

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20/04/2017 16:57
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Let me tell You what we people of the word know about IS’ war and death cult. The IS are not innocent. The IS are not victims. They all knew what IS did and did not go away. Now that fire falls from the sky they complain. But they did not complain when Yazidis, Christians and other sons of God were persecuted. They did not complain but cheered when SAA soldiers were murdered. This IS cult has shown that their Islam is against God and his prophets when they persecuted Yazidis, Shiites… and pressed jizyah from the peoples of the… Read more »
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20/04/2017 18:44
Leo Gjata
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Leo Gjata
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It is believed that that with in the 1300 hundred years since the day of Muhammad 250 million christians were murdered by muslim imperial/caliphate fanatic armies. Peace-loving.. ?? Ya right…

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20/04/2017 23:45
Datuk Bandar
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Datuk Bandar
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Superstition does not lead to enlightenment.

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21/04/2017 04:19
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