Lokman Xelîl, a commander for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spoke to ANHA regarding the ongoing campaign to liberate Raqqa from ISIS.

Xelîl firstly commemorated all the martyrs that have sacrificed their lives in the operation to liberate Raqqa, saying it was owing to them that SDF forces have made this much advance against the ISIS.

SDF commander refuted the claims that civilians are forcibly being displaced from the city, saying: “With this campaign we have launched, we aim to free our people and country of the dark gangs and their atrocity. We are in Raqqa on the people's demand and our forces have liberated a significant part of the city from the gangs so far.”

Xelîl remarked that the ISIS gangs evacuated the villages around Raqqa, mainly the Kurdish ones, and planted large numbers of mines in an attempt to stop the advance of SDF forces, adding: “The gangs dug many tunnels among the houses of civilians in order to protect themselves from airstrikes.”

SDF commander underlined that: “Our forces have not evacuated one single village but we are leading the civilians out of the conflict zones to safe areas to make sure that they are not harmed in the battle. To protect the civilians, our fighters are also clearing the improvised explosive devices laid by the gangs in houses, roads and fields.”

Xelîl stated that SDF fighters are also conducting search and sweep missions in the liberated areas to enable the return of civilians, and continued: “Our forces are conducting special operations together with special forces in order to rescue the civilians in Raqqa and other settlements from the clutches of ISIS. Our campaign to clear Raqqa of the gangs continues at full force. Administration of Raqqa will be handed over to civilians once the city is liberated.”

Referring to some press reports that SDF are forcibly displacing civilians, SDF commander Lokman Xelîl said: “We call on all press and media outlets and journalists to come to Raqqa, follow the developments on the ground and see the truth for themselves.”