Syrian Army Opens New Front against Daesh in Raqqa
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Syrian army, backed by Russian airstrikes, has advanced toward the northeastern city of Raqqa in a new offensive to liberate the strategic area from the clutches of the Daesh (also known as ISIL and ISIS) Takfiri group, a report said.
Heavy Russian airstrikes hit the Daesh-held territory in eastern areas of Hama province near the provincial boundary with Raqqa Friday, where the army had advanced some 12 km (7 miles), according to so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Reuters reported.
The Syrian army announced Thursday a new operation backed by Russian airstrikes in the Athriya area of eastern Hama province close to the provincial border with Raqqa. State media said the army had made territorial gains and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists.
"There is progress from Athriya on two fronts but the coming direction is not set," the military source said.
It added that the army was focused on eastern and northern areas of both Homs and Hama provinces "in the direction of Daesh gatherings".
"The field leadership does not give information about the main direction or the secondary direction, but the direction is open to two possibilities - Deir al-Zor and Raqqa," the source further said.
The Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar said the first aim was to capture the town of Tabqa in Raqqa, the location of an air base and major Daesh arsenal.
Al-Akhbar added that the new Syrian army operation did not aim to reach Raqqa city "in the coming weeks", but the goal was at least to reach Tabqa city and Lake Assad, which it overlooks.
Tabqa is some 50 km (30 miles) west of Raqqa city. Daesh captured Tabqa in 2014.
The Syrian army advanced to the border between Raqqa and Hama provinces in February.
Daesh terrorists have been losing ground in both Syria and Iraq, where they have been involved in a campaign of terror over the past years.
The Takfiri group has tried to remain on the offensive by carrying out devastating terror bombings, including in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and Syrian towns.
United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict that started in March 2011.
