The SDF cleared Tabqa and the Euphrates Dam of gangs following a 50 day long war. The fighters cleared the Azadî (Freedom) Dam on June 4.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, who founded the Wrath of Euphrates Action Room in order to liberate Raqqa and its surroundings, launched the first phase of the campaign on November 5, 2016 to liberate the north of Raqqa. The first phase started from Ayn Isa and Siluk.

In the 10 day long first phase, SDF forces liberated a 550 square kilometer area that included 34 villages and 31 hamlets.

167 ISIS members were killed in the operation while 34 bodies were retrieved by the fighters. 4 ISIS members were captured alive.

The second phase in the Wrath of Euphrates started on December 10, 2016 and was aiming to liberate the region to the west of Raqqa.

The second phase launched from al-Qadiriye and Kerdoshan and lasted 10 days. 97 villages and dozens of srategically important hills and hamlets were cleared in a 1300 square kilometer area.

The fighters first liberated a town of Raqqa on December 20, 2016. Cirniyê town was cleared of gangs.

Then the SDF fighters turned towards the Cebere fort and liberated the historic fort.

The fighters thus reached the Euphrates Dam and the left side of the lake.

Immediately after the second phase, the SDF announced on February 5 that the north of Dêir ez-Zor and Raqqa’s eastern part would be liberated.

The first branch of the third operation started from Bir al-Heba village to the north east of Raqqa and Ebu Xesheb village to the north of Dêir ez-Zor.

In al-Karama district 20 km to the south of Raqqa, the two branches united and the third phase ended with the liberation of al-Karama.

In this manevuer, with the operation from the Bir Heba branch, 540 square kilometers and al-Karama town were liberated.

In the third phase, a total of 640 square kilometer area was liberated.

The distinctive side of the third phase was that the Dêir ez-Zor Military Council joined in this operation for the first time.

In the third phase, 272 gang members were killed and 67 bodies were retrieved.

The SDF first carried out an airdrop on March 22 on the area to the west of Tabqa with help from the International Coalition.

After the fighters reached Tabqa, on March 26, the Tabqa Military Airport was cleared of gangs.

Following the SDF’s siege of Tabqa, preparations for the fourth phase of the operation to liberate the remaining areas and Raqqa were announced.

The fourth phase was launched on April 13.

The operation was delayed for 15 days due to bad weather, but in these 15 days the fighters cleared dozens of villages and the strategically significant al Hazima town of gangs and 311 gang members were killed.

With the transportation lines open, the SDF announced they relaunched the operation and now they would liberate the areas still under gang invasion and finally lay siege to Raqqa.

The SDF liberated Tabqa and the Euphrates Dam from gangs after a 50 day long war. The fighters cleared Azadî (Freedom) Dam of gangs on June 4.

Thus the path to great heroism was paved.

The fighters now continue with the final operation they call the “Great Battle”.