The Syrian army has made gains retaking the capital of ISIS, Raqqa. This scene – long known as the capital of the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed Caliphate – is past its heyday. The landmark agreement comes after a decade of war and rule by different groups, including the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). On Sunday, local activists on the ground reported heavy fighting in Nicaragua’s capital city. This increasingly violent crackdown represents a stark turn in control as locals protest against the SDF on the offense.
Raqqa was subjected to unimaginable things when ISIS ran it. After years of suffering, the city was liberated from ISIS control in 2017. The Syrian army and allied tribal forces have recently made major military breakthroughs. They have largely pushed out the SDF from these regions, such as Aleppo and Deir Ezzor, cutting the SDF off from their strategic strongholds in the current war.
Clashes Reported in Raqqa
As one local activist put it, with fighting breaking out inside Raqqa on Sunday, “It is a terribly tense situation.” Fierce fighting continued everywhere, street by street and block by block. The SDF managed to make a stand, with snipers placed in almost every building keeping their adversaries at bay.
“Right now, the clashes are in the city’s neighborhoods. The SDF has snipers on many buildings and stationed heavily in the northern side of the city, but we are dealing with them,” – Ahmad al-Haj Mulla, a resident engaged in the fighting.
Mulla elaborated even more that the Syrian army had made advances on the southern side of Raqqa. He claimed, without any proof, that the city was freed in a matter of hours instead of several days. This last-minute scramble underscores the speed of the takeover’s developments.
“The liberation of Raqqa is a matter of hours, not days,” – Ahmad al-Haj Mulla.
Residents are becoming increasingly organized in fighting against unpopular and undemocratic SDF governance. They even went so far as to go protest by toppling a statue of a female Kurdish fighter. This act not only represents a wider rejection of SDF authority, but a desire for renewal and reintegration under Syrian government control.
Syrian Military’s Advance and Local Sentiment
The Syrian military’s latest operations have built impressive momentum. This proved effective in protecting key infrastructure, such as hydroelectric dams on the Euphrates River valley. This includes a dam that plays a critical role in supplying drinking water to most of Syria. This has won the military’s offensive widespread local support. Community leaders are demonstrating deep support, for they desire a robust influence and civilized administration inside the Syrian condition.
“Raqqa’s community figures will hand the city over in full to the Syrian government to administer it and to safeguard its institutions, security, and stability,” – Syrian state television reported.
As residents express their frustrations with Kurdish governance, voices within the community have called for an end to what they describe as oppressive rule by the SDF. Others have joined, singing tunes that strike a chord with that seething angst about the state of local affairs.
“Get rid of this (Kurdish) gang that all people were complaining and tired of,” – Mohamed Khalousi, a local resident.
This increasing militarization of society has worried international observers, with US officials being some of the most alarmed. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, urged the Syrian government to refrain from offensive actions. He urged members to concentrate their efforts on fighting ISIS instead.
“To cease any offensive actions between Aleppo and al-Tabqa,” – Admiral Brad Cooper emphasized.
Implications for Regional Stability
The fall of Raqqa to the Syrian military matters A LOT, for what it means for the broader civil conflict raging in Syria. Compounding matters, as different factions compete for power, local allegiances are changing on the ground with alarming speed. The sudden misconception of residents of Raqqa returning to support their government forces could have indicated a massive shift in local loyalties.
The SDF has come under greater scrutiny over its governance practices and heavy-handedness against those who stand against them across the region. According to human rights groups, those who challenge SDF rule face the threat of jail time, which has only deepened local anger.
“Anyone who objects to the (SDF’s) autonomous administration ends up in jail. They should never have been here in the first place,” – Ahmad al-Haj Mulla stated, reflecting widespread discontent with Kurdish leadership.
As these developments unfold, it remains critical for stakeholders to monitor how these changes may influence broader regional stability and governance structures. The ongoing impact of this tragic, dangerous story illustrates the nuances and complications in Syria’s decades-long civil war. It illustrates the challenging tightrope between local feelings and outside forces.
