Simultaneous Raqqa, Mosul offensives create ‘too many problems for ISIS’
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The simultaneous operations to recapture both Mosul and Raqqa from ISIS create too many problems for the extremist group to solve at one time, the spokesperson for the US-led coalition against ISIS, Colonel John Dorrian, told Rudaw on Monday.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched an offensive to recapture the city of Mosul, ISIS’ main city in Iraq, three weeks ago. And on Sunday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the commencement of the military campaign to retake Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria.
The two operations put tremendous pressure on ISIS, Dorrian told Rudaw TV, speaking via Skype.
He also hailed the advances the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces have made so far, including the liberation of Bashiqa on Monday.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched an offensive to recapture the city of Mosul, ISIS’ main city in Iraq, three weeks ago. And on Sunday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the commencement of the military campaign to retake Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria.
The two operations put tremendous pressure on ISIS, Dorrian told Rudaw TV, speaking via Skype.
He also hailed the advances the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces have made so far, including the liberation of Bashiqa on Monday.
“The coalition and the United States are very pleased with the progress that is being made today,” he said but warned that the most difficult part is yet to come as Iraqi forces enter the city of Mosul itself.