News / Syria / News

Russia ready for 'coordination' with US-led coalition to liberate Raqqah

Tuesday, 24 May 2016 4:08 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 24 May 2016 6:11 PM ]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (AFP photo)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow is ready for “coordination” with the so-called US-led coalition to liberate the city of Raqqah in Syria, which has been the de facto capital of the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.

"I can assure you that we are prepared for such sort of coordination" with the coalition and the Kurdish fighters for the liberation of Raqqah, Lavrov said on Tuesday.

The remark came as a Kurdish-Arab alliance announced that a major offensive is underway against Daesh in Raqqah Province.

"With the participation of all Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units, we start this operation to liberate northern Raqqah" Province, the SDF wrote on Twitter, quoting Kurdish commander Rojda Felat.

The SDF, which is a coalition of Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Armenian, and Turkmen fighters, also stated that the offensive will be accompanied by airstrikes by the US-led coalition, whose strikes have been questioned for precision due to the fact that civilian targets have also been hit.

Daesh has been in control of Raqqah for more than two years.

Syrian officials announced in April that the army and allied forces were planning major operations to retake eastern cities, including Raqqah, from terrorists.

This photo taken on February 19, 2016, shows Syrian army soldiers in shooting position on the outskirts of Raqqah. (AFP photo)

Kurdish fighters known as the Peoples Protection Units, or the YPG, have been recently engaged in deadly fighting with terrorists, shutting down Daesh supply routes to Raqqah.

The YPG’s gains against Daesh have raised the specter of a successful offensive to liberate Raqqah.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk