With its geographically central position, Raqqa is of strategic importance. This makes it important also in terms of military. ISIS has viewed this city as its capital over the past 3 years. It is the center in which ISIS funds its finances and supports its forces in Iraq. Liberating Raqqa from ISIS will inflict a deadly blow on ISIS.

Currently, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are continuing their operation to liberate Raqqa from ISIS. This operation has the title Wrath of Euphrates. Thousands of young women and men from Raqqa have joined SDF ranks, which constitutes a testament to the legitimacy of the SDF's struggle. People of Raqqa believe that SDF will liberate them from ISIS terror. Therefore, tens of young people join the struggle in SDF ranks every day.

Raqqa is the biggest center in the eastern Euphrates riverbank in terms of geography and population. Raqqa is important for ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq and its liberation from ISIS terror will be an important step in ending terror in the Middle East and rest of the world. It will also be a turning point in the marginalization of ISIS. Of course, it will have political consequences. A heavy blow against ISIS in Raqqa will be the cornerstone of finishing terror across Syria. Ending terror in Raqqa will form the foundation of a democratic and federal Syria that will be the guarantee of free Rojava. Without this, Rojava will not be free. A democratic and federal Syria is of crucial importance for the alliance of Kurdish and Arab peoples; a unity of these oppressed peoples around common goals and fraternity.

Like many Syrian cities, Raqqa is a mosaic of peoples and faiths. The model that will be established in Raqqa will be the solution model towards the problems people experience in Syria and the Middle East. The support of tribal leaders and notables to the third phase of Operation Wrath Euphrates shows the trust they have in a Democratic Federal Syria. These leaders have offered significant material and moral support to the operation, which will be the basis of fraternity among the peoples in Raqqa.

The support of the new US administration and the anti-ISIS coalition forces makes an important contribution to the success of SDF and YPG forces. It now became apparent that the SDF and YPG are the main allies of the US and the anti-ISIS coalition. This alliance will only grow stronger.

At this point, it is necessary to discuss the constitution draft Russia has prepared for Syria. Even though it is inadequate, it is the first of such attempts by international powers. The reason why the Geneva and Astana talks on a solution in Syria fails so far is that there were no alternative preparation on the future of Syria. In this regard, the constitution draft proposed by Russia has some gaps. Until now, they have tackled the details as opposed to the source of problems. However, in order to solve the problems in Syria, one should go to the root of the problem. Russia offers autonomy for Kurds. But the problem of Kurdish people will be resolved with a Democratic Federal Syria, not autonomy. The other peoples and many faith groups in Syria have been ignored in the constitution draft proposed by Russia. These people can have a chance to live in a Democratic Federal Syria. The Northern Syria Democratic Federal social contract fills the gaps in Russia's proposal. It is more realistic and and analytic.

It is important for Russia to mention the rights of Kurdish people in an official document. This is also a self-criticism for not inviting Kurds to Astana. It would not be wrong to say that Erdoğan’s plans have been defeated in Bab. What is Bab to Erdoğan is what Sarıkamış was to Enver Pasha and the Party of Union and Progress. Erdoğan occupied Shehba because of his enmity towards Kurds. He sold out his friends, whom he had been supporting in Aleppo for 5 years, in order to lay the foundations of this occupation. He destroyed the gains of the Free Syrian Army just for his enmity towards Kurds. Erdoğan made a dirty deal and this will have destructive results.

Erdoğan made a deal with ISIS and took Jarablus and Dabiq. He said he would create a buffer zone against ISIS but his intentions turned out to be different. There is a new occupation in Syria and Erdoğan wants to expand this occupation. The FSA is unhappy about what Erdoğan did in Aleppo but it does not have many alternatives. The FSA will bring defeat, not victory, to Erdoğan in Bab. In a way, it is taking the revenge of Aleppo from Erdoğan. It could be said that Erdoğan's alliances are shattering.

Currently, Erdoğan is basing all of his strategies on his enmity towards Kurds. This creates irregularities in his international relations. It could be said that Erdoğan is losing his diplomatic reputation. Just like how Enver Pasha caused the downfall of Ottoman Empire, Erdoğan's enmity to peoples and democracy will bring the downfall of Turkey. The following days will demonstrate this, and Bab will be the end point.