Turkey-Backed FSA Forces to Join Raqqa Offensive Due to U.S. Pressure

Syrian rebel commander tells opposition media that FSA fighters which participated in Turkey's Euphrates Shield operation will join U.S. and Kurdish forces for upcoming battle to liberate Raqqa

Ankara has informed Syrian rebels of the Euphrates Shield operation to be ready for the upcoming battle for Raqqa despite the suspension of the military operation by the Turkish National Security Council on Wednesday, a Free Syrian Army commander told Zaman al-Wasl.

Former Syrian army colonel and senior Euphrates Shield commander Haytham al-Afisi said on Saturday that the Turkish stance had changed due to heavy pressure by Washington and officials from the Central Intelligence Agency.

The United States-planned offensive to liberate Raqqa from the Islamic State (ISIS) is scheduled to begin on April 16. Afisi said that around 6,000 Free Syrian Army fighters will likely join the Raqqa battles.

In recent weeks, Kurdish-led forces with full U.S. air cover have uprooted ISIS from large swaths west of Raqqa reaching the banks of Euphrates River.

Ankara says the Euphrates Shield operation, which was launched last August by Turkish forces and backed by Free Syrian Army fighters, was aimed at improving security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the terror threat along the Turkish border in northern Syria.

The fundamental discord between Ankara and Washington is the result of the ongoing Kurdish question and their aspirations of an independent state straddling areas of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has been Washington's principle partner in the anti-ISIS fight in northern Syria, vexing Ankara.

This article was 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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