EIN ISSA, Syria — The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have expelled Islamic State (IS) fighters from an area 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Raqqa, as violent battles are raging in the city’s northwestern countryside. On Nov. 15, the SDF announced their control over Hazima town, the largest town in the countryside of Ein Issa, as well as al-Taweelah (about 5 kilometers southeast of Ein Issa), and Tel Khaneez and Tallat Maled in Raqqa’s western countryside.

The SDF liberated al-Haisha village (in Raqqa’s northern countryside) and Khaniz al-Ghanem. It also took control of Tel al-Samen town, thus advancing toward the town’s power station, south of Ein Issa, which is only 20 kilometers from Raqqa’s city center.

On Nov. 5, the SDF launched Operation Euphrates Wrath with the participation of 30,000 militants in order to expel IS from Raqqa, its main stronghold in Syria, with the support of the US-led international coalition.

The SDF includes the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and Arab fighters from the Shammar tribe, as well as the Syriac Military Council and Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa, whose fighters hail from Raqqa and aspire to liberate their city from IS.