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[webfact]

Fighters on Raqqa front line brace for final showdown with Islamic State

By John Davison

 

A British volunteer fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces runs for cover to avoid sniper fire of Islamic State militants, at the frontline in Raqqa, Syria. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

 

RAQQA, Syria (Reuters) - In the gutted four-storey building that he and five other U.S.-backed fighters have turned into a frontline fortress, Babel can peer out at Islamic State positions just 150 metres away.

 

The jihadist militants expected to make a last stand for this stronghold of their self-proclaimed caliphate are cornered and desperate here in Raqqa, the city on the Euphrates river that has served as their de-facto Syrian capital since 2014.

 

"Let Daesh come - we're ready for them. We have explosives to drop downstairs," said Babel, which is his nom de guerre.

He and his fellow members of the U.S.-backed Syrian Defence Forces have occupied the frontline building for three weeks and are now preparing for a final showdown with Islamic State, the group also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh.

 

The SDF fighters' position is well prepared in case the cornered IS militants attempt an attack. The front porch steps have been demolished, leaving a drop to the basement that can be crossed only by climbing a section of iron fence - a makeshift ladder, which the defenders can pull up. Inside, plastic bottles have been strewn across the floor to squeak when stepped on and alert them to intruders.

 

After months of intense fighting and heavy U.S. bombardment, the SDF have surrounded Islamic State militants in a small part of the city. As the Kurdish and Arab militias of the SDF close in and U.S.-led air raids increase, they expect fierce fighting to mark the final stages of the campaign.

 

"Daesh regularly launch small raids, even behind our position. Yesterday they attacked the building opposite and tried to push towards us. We killed a few and they retreated to the hospital," Babel said.

 

SDF units have a clear view over the Raqqa hospital, one of Islamic State's last strongholds in the city, from a line of buildings they occupy to its northwest. Apartment blocks between them and the hospital have been flattened by air strikes.

 

Commanders say the hospital and a nearby stadium, where the jihadists are said to be holding civilian hostages, will be where they make their last stand.

 

Babel's unit are holding the front line ahead of an anticipated final push, firing at militants whenever they can spot them.

"The last few nights they've been shining spotlights from the hospital towards our lines, so we can't really see," he said.

 

Another fighter in the unit said sniper fire from Islamic State had recently reduced, possibly as a means of conserving ammunition for more intense fighting to come.

 

SURRENDER OR DIE

 

An SDF field commander said on Sunday assaults were to begin soon as part of a final push against Islamic State, focusSed initially on surrounding the stadium. The hospital is already encircled.

 

"Daesh is amassing, preparing to fight. This is the last stage, so they'll resist and then surrender or die," the commander who gave his name as Ardal Raqqa said.

 

U.S. coalition spokesman Ryan Dillon was more cautious about calling the current stage of the offensive a final assault.

"Whether this is the final assault or an assault, I won't characterise it either way," Dillon said by phone. The fight was "concentrated around the complex which was the national hospital and the stadium," he said.

 

The SDF predicted ahead of a major push in June that it could take just weeks to drive Islamic State out of Raqqa. That has proven overly optimistic, with the militants holding out for months so far.

 

Their use of civilians for cover, tunnels to launch counter attacks, snipers and countless booby traps have slowed SDF advances.

 

"Many are being wounded, especially by snipers. Daesh snipers often shoot to wound, not to kill, so they can target whoever comes to save an injured comrade," Babel said.

 

One shaken SDF fighter in a nearby base last week showed cuts on his face from where a sniper bullet had ricocheted.

 

Both the U.S. spokesman Dillon and the SDF fighter Babel said that some Islamic State fighters were surrendering.

 

"The other day a Saudi fighter escaped and handed himself over. The guys who surrender usually have families," Babel said.

 

Interrogations of surrendering militants revealed IS had dug a tunnel between the hospital and stadium, he said.

 

Dillon said several IS militants and leaders had surrendered in recent weeks. "It is a growing trend," he said.

 

At the front line, SDF fighters said morale was high. One fighter belted pop music to other units over his walkie talkie.

"Hopefully we'll be done soon," Babel said.

 

(Reporting by John Davison; Additional reporting by Ellen Francis in Beirut; Editing by Peter Graff)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-10-10

[nausea]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Dillon said several IS militants and leaders had surrendered in recent weeks. "It is a growing trend," he said.

This is what happens when you stop giving your fighters their Snickers bars.

 

[BuaBS]

Don't worry they will fight further in the european PC nanny states.

[Kevbo]

I'm pleased to hear that one or two have stayed behind to fight for their country, rather than leading cushy lives in Europe as refugees

[boomerangutang]

We've heard of 'failed states.'  Syria is beyond that.  It's a failed environment.  Scorpions can survive there, but doubtful even mice or snakes can.  Not a green leaf for miles.  

 

I just watched the new sci-fi movie sequel of 'Blade Runner.'  It shows devastated cities of the future.  Same as the once-cities of dune countries like Syria.  Except in Blade Runner, the cities have bigger crumbling buildings and the rubble goes on non-stop for tens of miles.   Syria is getting there.

[JemJem]

I am pretty confident that soon ISIS will be TOTALLY defeated in Raqqa. The thing is, will they be TOTALLY defeated in their remaining pockets of land in Syria (and in Iraq of course) ?

 

And, also, let's not forget that there are other Islamist groups in Syria and Iraq, especially Syria. Some of them are ONLY SLIGHTLY less barbaric than ISIS. It is sad that the US and Russia seem to be content on letting some of them control some parts of the country. These groups might prove to be a big headache in the future.

 

Time will tell of course.

Edited October 10, 2017 by JemJem

[simple1]

5 hours ago, JemJem said:

I am pretty confident that soon ISIS will be TOTALLY defeated in Raqqa. The thing is, will they be TOTALLY defeated in their remaining pockets of land in Syria (and in Iraq of course) ?

 

And, also, let's not forget that there are other Islamist groups in Syria and Iraq, especially Syria. Some of them are ONLY SLIGHTLY less barbaric than ISIS. It is sad that the US and Russia seem to be content on letting some of them control some parts of the country. These groups might prove to be a big headache in the future.

 

Time will tell of course.

Western security agencies have claimed Islamist terror will continue for many years. I'm sure you're well aware of the repeated statements that military defeat will not end the killing and right now a political resolution doesn't seem to be a reality. On the other side of the coin are the numerous war crimes by the Syrian military,  militias and allies. Very much doubt if they will ever be held accountable due to Russian / Chinese veto powers at the UN Security Council.

Edited October 10, 2017 by simple1