ISIS gangs surrounded in Raqqa have been using civilians as human shields to protect themselves. The hostage civilians continue to be rescued by the fighters. SDF fighters free hundreds of civilians every day and take them to safe areas. Civilians held hostage in the old Raqqa neighborhood to the east of Raqqa have been rescued in operations by special SDF units.

Civilians who try to reach the SDF fighters through bullets and clashes experience the joy of achieving their freedom when they see the fighters.

Raqqans have suffered under ISIS tyranny for years, and say they only had stale bread to eat. Some say they have forgotten how tomatoes and cucumbers smell. They are thankful that the SDF fighters rescued them from this tyranny. An elderly Turkmen Raqqan said “Today is our feast day” in Kurdish, Arabic and Turkmen and shared his joy with the fighters.

SDF fighters take the civilians they brought from the conflict areas until the evening hours to safe areas.