Northern Raqqa offensive

Northern Raqqa offensive (2016)
Part of the American-led intervention in Syria, the international military intervention against ISIL, the Rojava–Islamist conflict, and the Syrian Civil War
Date 21–30 May 2016 (1 week and 2 days) Location Northern Raqqa Governorate, Syria 35°57′00″N 39°01′00″E / 35.9500°N 39.0167°E / 35.9500; 39.0167 Result Offensive stalled[1][2] The SDF liberates 23 villages and farms[3] The SDF shifts its focus to the Northern Aleppo Province The Syrian Arab Army launches its own Raqqa offensive
Belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces CJTF–OIR	Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Rojda Felat (YPJ commander)[4] Nuri Mahmoud (MFS commander)[5]	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Leader of ISIL)
Units involved
Syrian Democratic Forces People's Protection Units (YPG, the leading group) Women's Protection Units (YPJ) Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa[6] Army of Revolutionaries[7] Northern Sun Battalion Liwa Jund Al Haramayn Euphrates Martyrs Battalion Free Jarabulus Battalion Seljuq Brigade Jabhat al-Akrad Al-Sanadid Forces[7] Syriac Military Council (MFS)[8] Bethnahrin Women Protection Forces United States special operations forces[9]	Military of ISIL
Strength
12,000-30,000 fighters[4][10]	5,000–8,000 fighters (inside Raqqa city)[4]
Casualties and losses
18 SDF fighters killed[3][11] 1 US soldier wounded[12]	79 killed[11]
300,000 civilians displaced[13]

The Northern Raqqa offensive was a 2016 military offensive launched by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in northern Raqqa Governorate, in order to prepare for a future attack on the city of Raqqa. The offensive was launched in coordination with airstrikes by the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.^[14] After 30 May, the offensive stalled, as the SDF shifted its focus and resources to another operation in the northern Aleppo Province.