ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy, visited the northern Syrian city of Raqqa on Wednesday to inspect coalition-sponsored projects, including schools and de-mining efforts.
“Visited multiple coalition-supported projects today in Raqqa including reopened schools for thousands of children once traumatized by ISIS — and now visibly eager to learn,” McGurk tweeted, sharing several pictures of colorful classrooms and waving children.
Visited multiple @coalition-supported projects today in #Raqqa including reopened schools for thousands of children once traumatized by #ISIS — and now visibly eager to learn. #Syria #Stabilization #Daesh #الرقة pic.twitter.com/vHAYOVkPiV
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) August 15, 2018
Raqqa was the de facto capital of the Islamic State (ISIS) ‘caliphate’ until it was liberated by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in October 2017. Today the city’s administration is run by the Raqqa Civilian Council.
“First visited this school ten months ago — as a shell of a building with no power and an eerie silence. Today, restored halls and classrooms bustling with thousands of children,” McGurk said in another tweet, featuring a photo of new textbooks piled high.
First visited this school ten months ago — as a shell of a building with no power and an eerie silence (photos on left). Today, restored halls and classrooms bustling with thousands of children (photos on right). pic.twitter.com/lyZR4zpOIp
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) August 15, 2018
US-led coalition airpower helped ground forces retake Raqqa, but caused widespread damage to homes, services, and public infrastructure. Reconstruction will take several years and requires massive investment.
Up to 3,000 bodies are still thought to be buried under thousands of tons of rubble. Effort to extract the dead and clear the debris is made harder by explosive remnants and IEDs left behind by ISIS fighters and their commanders.
“Our coalition supported de-mining teams include these brave Syrians now trained to clear the stadium ISIS used as its central prison and execution ground. Bombs planted throughout the area,” McGurk tweeted.
“Raqqa will recover!” he added.
Our @coaliton supported de-mining teams include these brave Syrians now trained to clear the stadium #ISIS used as its central prison and execution ground. Bombs planted throughout the area. #Raqqa will recover! pic.twitter.com/DU6bP9TkTJ
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) August 15, 2018
Earlier in the year, US President Donald Trump indicated the US would draw down its commitments in Syria once ISIS was defeated. The special envoy’s visit will likely be seen by local forces as a gesture of reassurance and ongoing support.
McGurk also met with US officials overseeing many of the coalition-backed projects, including the State Department’s newly appointed Syria Envoy Joel Rayburn, former US Ambassador to Bahrain William Roebuck, and Foreign Service Officer Mark Stroh.
“Strong team getting stronger!” McGurk tweeted alongside pictures of his colleagues.
Our State team in #Syria is doing a remarkable job. AMB Roebuck (left) is our lead on the ground. Mark Stroh (earlier in #Raqqa, at right) now completing successful 12-month tour. Accompanied today in Raqqa by new @StateDept Syria Envoy Joel Rayburn. Strong team getting stronger! pic.twitter.com/BQMMEP5iVQ
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) August 15, 2018
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment