We returned today again to the front line, in the neighborhood of al-Nahda, where the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are advancing considerably. This neighborhood differs very much from all the previous ones that have been liberated. There are many high buildings, mostly four storied, located near the 17th Military Division built by the Syrian regime.

Rûken Dewran is an ardent commander, leading a unit of fighters. We arrived here together with an 'akrep' vehicle delivering food to them. But now on the front line everything is different; the greeting, talking, holding mutual affection.

50 metres laid between the position of comrade Rûken and the gangs. According to comrade Rûken's account, three gang members were hiding in a building opposite of them. Among those gang members was a woman who uninterruptedly called them to 'surrender'.

But comrade Rûken knew: "This is a trap. They intend to lure our comrades to them and lay an ambush". She continued: "Our comrades approached towards them with utmost care. But one of those gang members tried to detonate himself among our fighters. Our comrades were very cautious, and they shot him before he could reach them.”

Because the buildings in this neighborhood were built with concrete, they can withstand bombs dropped by airplanes to some degree for which reason ISIS gangs have turned it to a military quarter for themselves. And again for this reason SDF fighters and gang members fight each other face to face.

Despite the severe clashes there, the fighters keep liberating the entire area from ISIS gangs house by house, harbouring high morale and a spirit preserving boundless comradery.

Even though Rûken Dewran does not speak Arabic well, she has some Arabic members in her unit. But language has never become a barrier in the fighting, as everyone knows their task well and eye contact alone becomes enough to understand each other.

In this neighborhood heavy clashes have taken place. Demolished buildings are lined up, riddled with holes, and rubble are piled up everywhere. If one imagines the fighters battling in the dark of the night in these neighbourhoods, one can only think of resistance and self-sacrifices in its greatest dimension.

With the liberation of this strategic neighborhood, the fighters will move westwards to the center of Raqqa.