The offensive to destroy ISIS in Syria took a big step forward recently with US military advisers, helicopters, and artillery helping position a force of about 500 soldiers near a strategic dam outside of Raqqa, ISIS's Syrian capital.
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US forces just went behind enemy lines in Syria to cut off ISIS’ only escape route
“It takes a special breed of warrior to pull of an airborne operation or air assault behind enemy lines,” - Col. Joe Scrocca.
US Marines fire artillery to break up ISIS fighters attacking Kurdish and Peshmerga forces.
The US military, along with Kurdish forces and the multi-ethnic Syrian Democratic Forces rebel group, have moved to put a stranglehold on Raqqa with shelling, air support, and ground forces at the last route in and out of the city, according to a press release.
Operation Inherent Resolve, the 68-nation mission to destroy ISIS, flew in fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed rebel group, behind enemy lines to a strategic dam.
“It takes a special breed of warrior to pull of an airborne operation or air assault behind enemy lines,” Col. Joe Scrocca, .
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"Seizing Tabqah Dam will isolate Raqqah from three sides and give the SDF the strategic advantage and launching point needed for the liberation of the city," said the release. But while the US says they're mainly backing local forces, they seem poised to take on a more active role with conventional forces fighting ISIS on the ground in Raqqa.
The Pentagon has been considering sending as many as 1,000 ground troops to help take back Raqqa from ISIS, which would signal a reversal of the Obama-era policy to fight ISIS via train and equip methods and airstrikes.
The coalition says they've conducted more than 300 airstrikes around Raqqa in the past month.
A spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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