International Rescue Committee “Deeply Concerned” for Citizens of Raqqa as Final Battle Nears

Even though they continue to ramp up their fear tactics in other countries through repeated terrorist attacks, all is not well on the home front for ISIS, the notorious terrorist organization.

In November, a group of Kurdish Militants backed by the United States began an offensive on the city of Raqqa, which has become widely known as ISIS’ Syrian capital.

Supporting the Kurdish force was widely criticized since it harmed our alliance with Turkey, who is fighting their own group of Kurdish rebels, but thus far it has worked in our favor. Since its beginning in November, the Kurdish force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has taken over the surrounding areas which have also allowed them to cut off supply lines that feed into the city. Reports from the Syrian Relief Network have shown that the citizens are down to only two meals a day, with the supply of rations dwindling with each passing day.

After three and a half years of militant rule, the SDF has announced that a “Great Battle” for Raqqa has begun.

This battle when looked at on paper should be easy. Raqqa is no longer a “stronghold” for ISIS, in fact, only 3,000 of their soldiers remain in the city today. Those who were located in the city have moved to Deir al-Zour, their new center.  Their presence in the city has dwindled as well, with the SDF able to reach the northern and eastern gates as of last week. The SDF has also taken over a few buildings in an area of the city known as “Mishlab.”

Looks can be deceiving though. According to the coalition’s commanding general Steve Townsend, this conflict will be “long and difficult.” The biggest obstacle to overcome will be the civilian presence, as over 200,000 reside in Raqqa. The number of civilian deaths has risen recently as ISIS has shrunk in size because of militant bombings and landmines, as well as airstrikes being carried out by the American Coalition.

Now with a final battle imminent, the question is, what will become of these civilians? In the past, ISIS has been known to use local citizens as human shields. This is a worst-case scenario though.

These concerns are inevitable though, and the goal needs to be how we can reduce these numbers and not completely avoid civilian deaths since, sadly, they are inevitable. SDF spokesman Talal Sillo recently said, “Morale is high and military readiness to implement the military plan is complete, in coordination with the U.S.-led coalition.”

If this confidence is warranted this could prove to be a major win for the United States. New recruits are already able to see that this is a losing cause as ISIS’ two capitals are starting to fall. In addition to Raqqa, they took hold in Mosul which has been in an ongoing conflict for months now.

ISIS has been seeing major defeats in terms of occupied areas for months now, and it is beginning to show in their finances. They require area so that they can tax their citizens and function like a state. With these defeats, they can no longer tax, which means they can no longer fund. Is this the beginning of the end for ISIS?

Featured Image via Wikimedia