US behind attempt to encircle Isis forces

SYRIA: The United States-led coalition air-dropped hundreds of allied Syrian fighters near the Isiscontrolled city of Raqqa yesterday in a surprise attempt to cut off the jihadists’ main route out.

The operation aims to secure the Euphrates river crossing and isolate the capital of Islamic State’s so-called caliphate from the rest of the group’s territory in Syria.

Five helicopters, supported by five fighter jets, dropped the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters near the northern town of Tabqa, 50km west of Raqqa.

With the help of coalition air strikes and special forces operations, the SDF, made up of troops from the YPG (Syrian Kurdish militia) and local Arab fighters, is waging a campaign to encircle Raqqa.

Eric Pohan, the spokesman for the Pentagon, said if successful, the operation would ‘‘basically cut Isis off’’ from western approaches to the city.

Pohan said Tabqa is an important Isis-held area because it includes a dam that provides electricity to the area, as well as a military airfield.

As yesterday’s operation began, senior officials from the 68-nation alliance met in Washington to hear more about a revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US President Donald Trump in February.

Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State, told the meeting America was committed to eradicating Isis and that its intensified campaign was aimed at putting pressure on the group.

‘‘We must defeat Isis. It is the United States’ number one goal in the region.’’

He reiterated the pledge to help create ‘‘safe zones’’ inside Syria, to enable refugees to return home and ease the burden on neighbouring countries. – Telegraph Group