The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a militia alliance including Arab and Kurdish fighters, said the operation also aimed to block any advance by Syrian government forces from the west. Scrocca said Apache helicopters, Marine artillery, U.S. special operations forces and air strikes were involved in the operation. About 75 to 80 percent of the forces were members of the Syria Arab Coalition, and Kurds were among the remainder, he added. Air strikes by the U.S.-led coalition near Raqqa have escalated this month, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Coalition air strikes pounded Tabqa on Wednesday, destroying a bakery and other buildings, the Observatory added.

Source: dna March 22, 2017 20:37 UTC