The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced Operation Euphrates Wrath amid heavy clashes after the US-backed forces in Syria launched a long-awaited offensive to liberate Raqqa, the de-facto capital of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).
Commanders said the operation will involve 30,000 troops from the SDF, a coalition spearheaded by the Syrian Kurdish YPG, but also including Arab, and Turkmen groups. They will be backed by US advisors and coalition air cover.
A Western-coalition backed alliance including Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga, and allied militias launched an offensive to liberate Mosul previously.
The timing of the announcement of the assault on Raqqa appears to confirm rumors that Coalition battle planners hope to engage Isis in both cities at the same time.
War and terrorism continues to roil the Euphrates River countries just as the Sixth Trumpet Prophecy of Revelation 9 declares, until pulling world nations into a vortex of world war.