BEIRUT: US-backed Syrian militias have taken the historic old city of Raqqa and its ancient mosque as they press their offensive to defeat Daesh, the US-led coalition said on Monday.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, said last week it had captured the final districts in Raqqa’s Old City from Daesh.
With the help of US-led jets and special forces, the SDF has been battling to capture Raqqa city, which Daesh used as a base of operations in Syria. The SDF pushed into the city in June after fighting for months to encircle it.
The walled old city lies in the heart of Raqqa, but Daesh militants still control districts in the west of the city. The SDF says it holds 65 percent of Raqqa in total.
“The SDF have made consistent incremental gains in the urban terrain of the city, fighting block by block,” said US Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the US-led coalition against Daesh.
The statement said the SDF has cleared the Great Mosque of Raqqa, its oldest mosque, describing the advance as “a milestone” in the Raqqa battle.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Army and its allies on Monday came to within 3 km of relieving the Euphrates city of Deir Ezzor, where Daesh has besieged 93,000 civilians and an army garrison for years.
The advance on the eastern city marks another stinging setback for the once-triumphant Daesh, fast retreating in both Iraq and Syria as its self-declared caliphate crumbles.
Syrian regime troops were rapidly approaching the city, reaching a point 3 km away, state television said. Dozens of trucks loaded with food stood ready to enter the enclave in the city once government forces break the siege, it said.
US-backed Syrian forces seize Raqqa mosque
US-backed Syrian forces seize Raqqa mosque
UN chief condemns Israeli law blocking electricity, water for UNRWA facilities
- The agency provides education, health and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned on Wednesday a move by Israel to ban electricity or water to facilities owned by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, a UN spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the move would “further impede” the agency’s ability to operate and carry out activities.
“The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains applicable to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), its property and assets, and to its officials and other personnel. Property used by UNRWA is inviolable,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, said while adding that UNRWA is an “integral” part of the world body.
UNRWA Commissioner General Phillipe Lazzarini also condemned the move, saying that it was part of an ongoing “ systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct” the role it plays in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.
In 2024, the Israeli parliament passed a law banning the agency from operating in the country and prohibiting officials from having contact with the agency.
As a result, UNRWA operates in East Jerusalem, which the UN considers territory occupied by Israel. Israel considers all Jerusalem to be part of the country.
The agency provides education, health and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It has long had tense relations with Israel but ties have deteriorated sharply since the start of the war in Gaza and Israel has called repeatedly for UNRWA to be disbanded, with its responsibilities transferred to other UN agencies.
The prohibition of basic utilities to the UN agency came as Israel also suspended of dozens of international non-governmental organizations working in Gaza due to a failure to meet new rules to vet those groups.
In a joint statement, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom said on Tuesday such a move would have a severe impact on the access of essential services, including health care. They said one in three health care facilities in Gaza would close if international NGO operations stopped.
