News from Syria - 05/14/2016

Isis 'declares state of emergency in Raqqa' according to US military

US officials say they are monitoring reports the terrorist group fears its capital could be attacked

theIndependent,

26 November, 2014

US military officials are monitoring reports that Isis have declared a state of emergency in Raqqa.

Social media and news reports that suggest Isis may have come under siege in its self-declared capital in Syria are being closely watched by the US-led anti-Isis coalition.

Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for the coalition said: “We have seen this declaration of emergency in Raqqa, whatever that means.”

"We know this enemy feels threatened, as they should," he told CNN on Friday,

Media reports have indicated that the terrorist group is moving personnel around the city and attempting to put up covers to shield potential targets from airstrikes and ground attacks.

"They see the Syrian Democratic Forces, along with the Syrian Arab Coalition, manoeuvre both to their east and to their west," said Mr Warren. "Both of these areas becoming increasingly secure, and the Syrian Democratic Forces increasingly able to generate their own combat power in those areas."

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Spokesman Tajir Kobani announced earlier this week that commanders of the SDF-affiliated groups in Northern Syria had coordinated plans for a joint final operation for liberating Raqqa from the Isis.

According to US defence officials, Isis may now be responding to the UN allies’ efforts to liberate the city by repositioning personnel and military apparatus.

US Military also say this movement could help overhead surveillance aircraft an improved chance of finding and targeting them.

While officials have not confirmed whether or not it is believed Isis leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi is still in the city, officials say they are also monitoring intelligence suggesting he could be other locations.

"Baghdadi remains extremely careful" about his personal security, a US defence official told CNN