Raqqa Residents Express Outrage Over Ocalan Poster in Al-Naeem Square

The intersection was the site of numerous ISIS executions prior to the SDF's capture of the devastated city

The Syrian Democratic Forces militia, of which Kurdish fighters comprise the largest portion, on Thursday erected a large image of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan in a main square in the center of Raqqa. The outlawed PKK group is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, Turkey and the European Union.

The move came during a press conference held by the SDF militia in Al-Naeem (Paradise) Square in the city center to announce they had taken control. The step raised anger among Syrians, including Raqqa residents who witnessed the celebrations on the rubble of their city, of which a large part was destroyed by fighting between the Islamic State (ISIS) group and the Kurdish forces.

The battle killed at least 1,800 civilians from the province, according to the Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently monitoring group.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

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