The Raqqa offensive has long been on the cards. The jihadist group, which once had direct access to the Turkish border, has now retreated to its core in Syria, stretching from Raqqa to Deir Ezzour. As the ongoing Mosul battle shows, breaching the IS defence lines will take time and also lives. Turkey is opposed to the SDF taking over Raqqa as a major constituent of the coalition is the Kurdish militia, the People’s Protection Units (YPG). The dilemma that the U.S. faces is one of bringing both the YPG and Turkey on the same side of the battle for Raqqa.

Source: The Hindu November 08, 2016 20:15 UTC