Iraq News

Syrian Democratic Forces clear al-Raqa’s Great Mosque

Coalition officials on Monday (September 4th) offered congratulations to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the successful clearance on Saturday of the Great Mosque of al-Raqa.

The seizure of al-Raqa’s Old City and the Great Mosque is a milestone in the battle to defeat the “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) in al-Raqa and Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said in a statement.

The Arab-Kurd alliance evacuated thousands of civilians and went to great lengths to limit damage to infrastructure, including to the ancient mosque, the statement said.

The Great Mosque is the oldest mosque in the city and has been under ISIS control since 2014.

"The liberation of this historic landmark is a testimony to the dedication and courage of the SDF as they fight to defeat ISIS in al-Raqa,” said coalition spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon.

"The SDF have made consistent incremental gains in the urban terrain of the city, fighting block by block, and applying increasing pressure on ISIS each day while evacuating civilians along the way," he said.

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