IG militants are surrounded in the center of Rakki

The Syrian democratic forces - the Arab -Kurdish alliance supported by the United States - surrounded the militants of the Islamic State in the center of Raqua. This was reported by Reuters with reference to Khaval Gabar - one of the commanders of the people's self -defense units (YPG, the army of Syrian Kurdistan), which leads the operation.

Back on Monday, the Gabar said, there were gaps in the front of the Syrian democratic forces, but the next day the rebels closed the ring and are now moving on. Now they have already controlled half of the city center. In another part, including the old city, Islamists remain.

The number of militants IG Gabar estimated at several hundred, a maximum of 1 thousand. Basically, the commander said, these are foreigners. At the same time, many of the Islamists with families surrender. In addition, according to one of the YPG soldiers, daily rebels kill 10-15 IG militants.

Nevertheless, the YPG expectations to free Rakka in a few weeks are not justified. According to Gabar, the battle will take another three to four months. One of the main difficulties, the commander explained, represent mines laid down by Islamists. “As for the mined machines,” Gabar continued, “they (Islamists. - Ed.) They do not explode every day, but they will use them when our forces are advanced deep into the city.”

One of the Kurdish soldiers told the agency that the Islamists have many snipers. “They are skillful, especially Chechens,” the Sobstan said.

Another reason for refusing forced advance coalition, led by the United States and its allies call the presence of a large number of civilians in Racca. Every day, a small number of civilians leave the quarters controlled by Islamists, but the bulk remains in place. According to the UN, in the areas occupied by the IS, there are up to 50 thousand civilians; Since March, at least 300 of them died as a result of raids.

The attack on Rakka - the actual capital of the IG - Syrian democratic forces began on November 6, 2016 , a few days later in a neighboring Iraq, the operation of the liberation of Mosul, the largest city, which was controlled by the Islamists in this country, launched an operation. The beginning of the offensive forced the Islamists to fight simultaneously on two fronts.

Actually, the Arab-Kurdish Alliance began the liberation of Rakka on June 5 . Then the number of Islamists in the city was estimated at 3-4 thousand people, and the number of civilians was 160-200 thousand.

Meanwhile, Mosul was released in early July after more than eight -month battles.