The War Against The Islamic War In Syria -- News Updates July 31, 2017

RUDAW: Kurdish force may leave Raqqa campaign if Turkey continues attacks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The head of the Kurdish YPG forces that comprise the backbone of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have warned they will withdraw from the alliance if Turkey continues to increase its attacks on the Shahba region and Afrin.

Sipan Hemo said that they have communicated their concerns to the US-coalition in “clear” terms.

Turkey considers the YPG an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an armed rebel force opposed to the Turkish state. The YPG has the same ideological roots as the PKK but denies any links.

“We have shared our issue with the coalition. If the Turkish state continued its occupation attacks against Afrin and Shahba, the Raqqa operation will not continue,” Hemo told the PKK-affiliated ANF media on Friday.

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The War Against The Islamic War In Syria -- News Updates July 31, 2017

Kurds May Leave Coalition Raqqa Op if Turkish Attacks Continue - YPG Commander -- Sputnik
Kurdish-led administration in northern Syria sets election dates -- Al-Arabiya/Reuters
ISIS Claims Deadly Attack On US-backed Syrian Forces -- Military.com/AP
Islamic State attack targets SDF-held area in Syria -- Reuters
Daesh ramps up counter-attacks after getting squeezed in Raqqa -- TRT
Food access in Syria's Raqa at 'critical turning point': NGOs. -- AFP
Syrian army advances on Deir ez-Zur -- RUDAW
British Isis wife 'wants to flee Syria but her young son is refusing' -- The Independent
Syria: Raqqa’s besieged residents deprived of urgent medical care -- Relief Web
New Dangers Stalk Syrian Children Still Haunted by Horrors Under ISIS -- NYT
Burning Raqqa: The civilian toll on the U.S.’ latest anti-ISIS strategy -- Laura Gottesdiener, Salon