The town of Raqqa in Syria was for several years the capital city of the ISIS Caliphate. It was also the scene of a massive battle between ISIS and Kurdish forces supported by the US. Now it is the main urban centre of a large enclave in Northern Syria that is effectively controlled by the American Empire as a geopolitical bargaining chip through its Kurdish stooges.
But now it seems that the local Arab inhabitants are no longer happy with having Uncle Sam's goons controlling their everyday lives.
Remember, this is a relatively undisciplined militia force, so you can reasonably infer that a few rapes have happened and that several people have gone missing just for looking at Kurdish gunmen the wrong way.
For weeks now there have been peaceful demonstrations in the streets of Raqqa, organised by a group called the Committee for Peaceful Movement in Raqqa (CPMR). This appears to represent the local Arab majority. They have been protesting against forced military enlistment, the arrest of demonstrators, and the lack of freedom of movement in the militia controlled town.
Now it looks like things have moved to the next level, with military clashes breaking out in various parts of the city between citizens demanding their freedom and the tyrannical forces of the US-backed Syrian Defence Force (SDF). The SDF oddly includes the Partiya Yekitiya Demokrat (PYD), an actual Communist terrorist Kurdish militia, as well as anti-Assad Arab units like the Free Syrian Army (FSA). The situation is fluid and uncertain and there have also been military clashes reported between the FSA and PYD.
Now it looks like things have moved to the next level, with military clashes breaking out in various parts of the city between citizens demanding their freedom and the tyrannical forces of the US-backed Syrian Defence Force (SDF). The SDF oddly includes the Partiya Yekitiya Demokrat (PYD), an actual Communist terrorist Kurdish militia, as well as anti-Assad Arab units like the Free Syrian Army (FSA). The situation is fluid and uncertain and there have also been military clashes reported between the FSA and PYD.
A statement released by CPMR on Thursday (21st June) said that the movement's goal was to confront the violations being committed by the Kurdish militia.
"The peaceful civil movement taking place in Raqqa demanding the departure of the PYD militia, which dominates the political scene in the city, is similar to the movement which the city saw when it joined the revolutionary, nonviolent demonstrations between 2011 and 2012.”
The statement emphasised the group's commitment to the integrity of Syrian territory, stressing that Raqqa is an integral part of Syrian national territory. It also rejected compulsory conscription and called for the restoration of the services and institutions in the city.
Raqqa after "liberation" by Neocon forces. |
The USA was able to defeat ISIS in Raqqa through a combination of Third Generation Warfare (massive bombing) and Fourth Generation Warfare (proxy forces, local subversion, etc.). What is developing in Raqqa now is a Fourth Generation Warfare situation that will challenge American power in Syria much more effectively.
This is indicated by the fact that the SDF is lamely trying to switch back to a 3G scenario by mis-characterising the uprising as an "ISIS infiltration," even though elements of their own forces seem to be involved. The CPMR deny any ISIS involvement and are presenting their uprising as a popular grassroots movement focused on local issues. A bit hard to bomb the crap out of that!
The group's statement called upon the international anti-ISIS coalition to "assume its legal and moral responsibilities, in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention," to start rebuilding the devastated town, to compensate the families of war victims, create a safe environment for the return of the population to their areas, and reestablish local democracy.
Kurds on the run? |
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