Most of the SDF fighters partaking in the operation to liberate Raqqa from ISIS are from the Raqqa city itself.

İbrahim Xelef from Mashabah neighborhood of Raqqa is one of the SDF fighters participating in the campaign to liberate the city. Xelef fled from ISIS atrocity in his neighborhood and joined the SDF two months ago. As he fights on the western front of Raqqa, it was us to give him the good news of the liberation of his neighborhood.

Xelef shared his feelings over the liberation of his neighborhood with us as follows: “I have a memory in every corner of Raqqa, but the Mashabah neighborhood has a special meaning for me. Me and my comrades cleared the al-Jazra neighborhood a few days ago. Against the attacks of the gangs, we resisted and repelled their attacks with the determination of clearing our city of dark forces. We have now entered Raqqa from the western front after clearing the al-Jazra neighborhood of the gangs.”