Middle East

Russia, US and Turkey May Join Together in Operation to Retake Raqqa

Even before the US-supported coalition led by Iraqi forces set foot in Iraqi Mosul, the plans had been announced to retake Raqqa, the de facto capital of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) caliphate, from the extremist group.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on October 27 that Turkey-backed opposition fighters inside Syria would eventually reach Raqqa after securing the towns of al-Bab and Manbij. According to him, he had discussed the issue with US President Barack Obama. Mr. Erdogan wants the operation to take place without involvement of Syrian Kurdish forces. Turkey regards the Syrian Kurdish fighters, known collectively as the YPG (The People's Protection Units), as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the Kurdish rebel group that has sought autonomy from Turkey. The Turkish government believes the group is a terrorist organization. The US has supported the YPG as the best ground fighting force against IS.