Fighters advancing towards Raqqa through two fronts have met today in the operation to encircle Raqqa city which was launched in the second step of the third phase of the Operation Wrath of Euphrates.

Speaking to ANF on this most recent development, YPJ (Women's Defense Units) Commander Dılbırin Kobanê stated the followings:

“Our third front and the Hasaka front joined today. Our goal in this phase of the Operation Wrath of Euphrates was to cut the Deir ez-Zor-Raqqa road. We have achieved this goal today. This campaign has been carried out with participation from many factions, and it is still going on. There have been very tough clashes during this phase. ISIS has suffered many losses. We have achieved great success and we have frustrated all the tactics that ISIS wanted to develop in this campaign. They tried to reach to the points of our military forces by putting civilians in front of bomb-laden vehicles. We have frustrated these tactics. They also planted bombs in villages many times. We frustrated these tactics. We have captured many territories, and we are 12 km close to Raqqa.”

Kobanê called on to all the women in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, “Come, join the line of freedom and join the ranks of the YPJ,”. Noting that women played a leading role in this campaign, Kobanê said that the YPJ joined the move very strongly and set an example for the world.

YPJ fighter named Hezil who also takes part in the Operation Wrath of Euphrates stated that the campaign had resulted in great success and that they will continue to fight with great morale.