Contents tagged with Raqqa

  • Syrian opposition forces capture two Russians suspected of terrorism

    Representatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that they detained four terrorist suspects in northern Syria, two of whom are Russian citizens, Radio Liberty reports.

    The names of the two Russian detainees are Usmat Attayev and Mohammed Jawad Khan. The SDF did not specify which militant group they belonged. According to the SDF representatives, they were captured after "long and thorough tracking".

    The Russians are suspected of committing terrorist attacks in the city of Raqqa …

  • Kremlin: Coalition trying to turn Raqqa into center of Syria not controlled by Assad

    First deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on defense and security Frants Klintsevich believes that by allocating funds to humanitarian aid for the population of Raqqa, the US-led coalition is trying to create a new center of Syria which is not controlled by its president Bashar al-Assad. The senator expressed such an opinion to reporters on Sunday.

    According to him, the urgent allocation of millions of dollars and euros to Raqqa is another example of the US-led coalition’s …

  • The largest dam in Syria partially collapsed as a result of the fighting near Raqqa

    The Tabqa dam on the Euphrates, Syria’s largest dam has been partially destroyed by the fighting between the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF coalition and the Islamic State terrorist group, as reported by RIA Novosti with a reference to the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen.

    The Tabqa hydroelectric power station was built in the early 1970s with the assistance of Soviet specialists. It keeps in check the Al-Assad, the largest reservoir in the country.

    Al Mayadeen reported, citing informed …

  • Russia doubts Western coalition will take Syrian Raqqa soon

    The Russian Ministry of Defense said that it does not share the French Defense Minister’s optimism regarding the Western Coalition’s operation in Syrian Raqqa, which is considered a stronghold of the so-called Islamic State.

    “It is clear to any military specialist that the liberation of Raqqa will not be a walk in the park for the international coalition,” said Major-General Igor Konashenkov, official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, on Saturday, commenting on the statements …

  • The Pentagon: Military cooperation between US and Russia remains limited

    Military cooperation between Russia and the USA remains suspended, as it is enshrined in the country’s laws, Lt. Colonel Michelle Baldanza said, as reported by Interfax.

    "The Ministry of Defense has suspended military cooperation with the Russian armed forces after the illegal actions of Russia to annex the Crimea, and this limitation is spelled out legally under the law in the powers specified by the National Defense Authorization Act," - said Baldanza, commenting on the statement of Russian …

  • Media: Russia will offer to conduct a joint operation with the U.S. in Raqqa

    Russia wants to offer US to join their efforts in the operation to retake Raqqa which is considered a Syrian capital of the so-called Islamic State, as reported by the Russian newspaper Izvestia.

    The United States has already stated its plans to block Raqqa even before Mosul is fully freed from ISIS. On October 25, the United States Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, said that the US together with the Alliance partners are preparing the operation to block Raqqa. 

    After the American …