Following the operation launched to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria, an expedited operation code-named Wrath of the Euphrates was initiated to liberate the IS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria. Ankara has been perceptibly upset since it became known that the Raqqa operation was initiated by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces despite earlier optimistic predictions that Ankara, which was sidelined from the Mosul operation, would be in partnership with the United States at Raqqa.
Turkey's only condition was that the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) be excluded from the SDF. But the United States, which could not implement its plans to form an Arab-dominated army made up of tribes and so-called moderate opposition forces, had no choice but to rely heavily on the Kurds. What are the conditions for the Kurds to participate in the Raqqa operation? What kind of an operation is planned? Who will govern Raqqa once the dust settles?
