A technician for the Syrian Democratic Forces works on establishing a radio broadcast signal reaching Raqqa that will guide civilians to safe locations controlled by the U.S.-backed militia. On Tuesday, the SDF said it reached the Euphrates River's bank southwest of Tiyasah in the second stage of its "Wrath of the Euphrates" offensive to liberate Raqqa from Islamic State control. Photo courtesy of Raqqa Campaign
RAQQA, Syria, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces militia said it has reached the Euphrates River and seized a large area of territory in the offensive to liberate Raqqa from the Islamic State.
The SDF's "Wrath of Euphrates" offensive is supported by a U.S.-led international coalition, which shares intelligence with allies and conducts airstrikes against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, ISIL and ISIS. The offensive's second stage is approaching its second week of operations.
In 10 days of the operation's second stage, the SDF said it freed 97 villages and dozens of other locations in about 500 square miles.
"Our fighters have reached the Euphrates after liberating a large area from ISIS groups," the SDF said in a statement on Tuesday.
SDF troops on Sunday reached the bank of the Euphrates River southwest of the village of Tiyasah, which splits up the Islamic States' territory between its stronghold in Raqqa and other IS-held territory. The SDF hopes to seize the villages of Haniyah, Bir Zaher, Karawan, Bir Zayed, and Toyhana to further expand the buffer zone.
At least nine SDF militants have died and 12 have been injured in the offensive, SDF spokesman Jihan Sheikh Ahmad said during a press conference. SDF-supported forces within Raqqa are also taking part in the offensive.
"Ninety-six ISIS members were killed in clashes and seven others were captured and taken captive, including one gang member who surrendered together with his family," Ahmad said.
In the first stage of the offensive, Ahmad said the SDF freed 150 families, killed 150 Islamic State militants and freed 212 square miles of territory.
The SDF is a militia made up of different ethnic groups and religions with the goal of creating a secular, democratic government in Syria.
The SDF on Tuesday launched a radio broadcast that reaches Raqqa to guide civilians to safe areas controlled by the militia.
The SDF on Wednesday said it pushed back an Islamic State attack on the village of Karawan, which was previously freed from IS control.