The remaining area of the city of Raqqa, which is under ISIS control, is shrinking day after day. The area is estimated at 20 square kilometers. There is an estimated population of 150,000 civilians. ISIS has prevented civilians from leaving the city and used them as human shields. This report summarizes the latest developments in the city and clarifies the lines of clashes as well as monitoring the humanitarian situation.
- Lines of clashes
These are distributed in the north, south, east and west of the city, as well as in the rural areas of Raqqa, as follows:
-One frontline extends from the Sugar Factory in the east and from the 17th division in the north. It extends to the Euphrates River to the south and passes through the neighborhoods of al-Mashlab and al-Synaa. It also runs from inside the fence to the slaughterhouse and the Souk al-Hal.
– From the north, the frontline extends from the grain silos to al-Furousiya roundabout.
– A zigzag frontline extends from the western side of al-Furousiya roundabout and al-Romaniyah neighborhood to the Euphrates River, and the main conflict points are al-Mazare roundabout, the neighborhood of al-Sabahiya and the road junctions of al-Hseweh and al-Tayar.
– The frontlines in the southern countryside (to the south of al-Shamia river) extend from al-Makas, Kasret Sheikh al-Jomaa and Kasret Afnan, where Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of the entrances of the New Bridge, al-Talai and the Old Bridge.
-The city is now surrounded by the SDF on all four sides.
All types of heavy weapons are being used in battles, as well as bombs that, according to residents, carry an electric shock in their shrapnel. In addition, it was mentioned that white phosphorous was used.
- The Impact of Conflict Developments on Civilians:
– Civilians in the city of Raqqa are subject to a siege imposed on the city from four sides. They hide in their homes for fear of shelling, knowing that their homes do not protect them from shelling.
– Attempts by civilians to escape the city face the threats of sniper fire or detention by ISIS, which is using civilians as human shields.
– If attempts to flee outside the city succeed, civilians face the threat of snipers belonging to the Syrian Democratic Forces.
– ISIS has planted a complex network of mines, and it has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians. In addition, many civilians have lost their limbs while trying to escape from the city across the fields.
– There have also been several cases of Coalition bombing of boats used by civilians to flee by the river in the south.
– In addition, civilians have been bombarded by Coalition aircraft as they were traveling by road through the frontlines.
– The indiscriminate shelling of the city has resulted in more than a thousand casualties in 90 days, one-third of whom are children. Victims have been documented by name.
III. Humanitarian Situation in the city of Raqqa
– There is a severe shortage of medicines, medical equipment and a lack of specialized medical professionals.
– Health infrastructure, including hospitals, health centers, has collapsed.
– There are more than 100 critical medical cases among civilians, who suffer from injuries and chronic diseases.
– There is a severe shortage of fuel.
– The siege imposed on the city has led to a scarcity of bread caused by the flour crisis.
– Power outages have affected the city for the past 20 days.
– Drinking water is available for only four hours each day.
– There have been cases of looting and seizure of civilian property was documented in the villages of Hittin and Hawi al-Hawa, which are under control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (Sanaded brigade).
- Recommendations
- Pressure must be exerted on the US-led coalition and the SDF in order to stop indiscriminate shelling. In addition, civilian targets must be considered neutral from any military operation.
- As leader of the international coalition to defeat ISIS, the US must refrain from using internationally banned weapons such as phosphorus and conduct independent investigations and hold the perpetrators accountable.
- The coalition and the UN must open safe corridors to ensure the safe exit of civilians, and inform civilians of their presence. In addition, civilians must not be targeted while leaving under any circumstances.
- Hospitals and places of worship must be considered neutral from the conflict and must not be attacked.
- Cases of looting must be controlled and thieves must be held accountable and excluded from the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Syrian Civil Platform – Raqqa Local Platform