The General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) released a statement marking the eighth anniversary of the liberation of Raqqa.
The SDF statement on Monday reads as follows:
“On this day in 2017, the fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces, with the support of the sons and daughters of Raqqa and its noble tribes, wrote a heroic epic that will remain immortal in history. On this day, our forces liberated Raqqa from the clutches of the terrorist organization ISIS — the capital of its so-called caliphate. This city of life and civilization was returned to its people — free, dignified, and pulsating with hope.
On this glorious anniversary, we remember with great reverence our heroic martyrs who gave their lives so that Raqqa might live free and safe. We extend our congratulations and express our pride in the fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces, who embodied the highest values of heroism and sacrifice. We also congratulate the people of Raqqa and its noble tribes, who stood united with their forces to achieve this historic victory and restore the city’s dignity and freedom.
Under the rule of the terrorist organization ISIS, Raqqa became a symbol of terror and death. Its people lived under the scourge of violence, murder, and injustice, and the most heinous crimes were committed against them. The organization attempted to obliterate the city’s identity and impose its dark ideology on its vibrant society, but it failed in the face of the people’s enduring will for life and dignity.
At that time, the Syrian Democratic Forces responded to the call of the people of Raqqa and its tribes, who sought their help to end injustice and break the chains of tyranny. The role of the tribes was decisive and pivotal in shaping the liberation process. The cities of Hasakah and Kobani witnessed repeated meetings and in-depth consultations between tribal leaders and the commanders of our forces. The tribesmen issued continuous calls for immediate action, participating with steadfastness and determination in formulating the strategy for their city’s liberation.
These meetings were not merely appeals; they were genuine organizational and planning milestones — military and tribal field meetings that produced a comprehensive plan for action and liberation. They evolved into a covenant between the people and their forces: to save the city at all costs. The solidarity of the tribes with our forces became the cornerstone that paved the way for the battle to liberate Raqqa.
The battle for liberation — the most difficult battle against terrorism — began. Our fighters, both male and female, fought building by building, street by street, in a long and grueling campaign where their heroism was written in blood and sacrifice.
The blood of hundreds of our finest fighters, men and women alike, was shed on the soil of Raqqa, writing with their pure sacrifice the dawn of freedom for its people. They did not retreat despite the difficulty of the fight, nor did they abandon their duty despite the enormous cost, for they believed that protecting human dignity was worth more than anything else. They fought for every mother who had lost her children, for every woman liberated from the slavery of terrorism, and for every child who regained the right to life.
The liberation of Raqqa was not a local event; it was a global victory against the most extreme form of terrorism. This triumph restored hope to peoples everywhere who resist tyranny and proved that the Syrian Democratic Forces are the force that answered the call of the people and decisively defeated ISIS on the ground when others failed to do so.
Today, eight years later, Raqqa still stands tall — a testament to the sacrifices of its people, the unity of its tribes, and the solidarity of its forces. Despite all attempts to undermine our stability and distort our achievements, we affirm clearly:
We will not allow the return of terrorism under any name or form. We will not allow the enemies of freedom to tamper with the fate of our people, nor will we compromise the blood of our martyrs, regardless of the challenges.
We address our message to all parties: the liberation of Raqqa was not a fleeting battle but a lasting covenant between the Syrian Democratic Forces, its people, and its tribes — a covenant to protect the land and its people, to defend the unity of our nation, and to continue building a secure future of freedom and development. The cohesion of the tribes, their initiatives, and their ongoing meetings have been and will remain a fundamental guarantee for any successful liberation or reconstruction effort in our region.
Raqqa today — once the capital of terrorism — has become a symbol of liberation and coexistence, a model of the invincible will of the people. This achievement will not be erased, for it was written with the blood of martyrs, forged by the will of the fighters, and consecrated by the unity of the tribes and the people around their forces, the SDF.
On this glorious anniversary, we renew our pledge to continue protecting our people and our land from all dangers, to confront terrorism and dark ideology in all its forms, and to safeguard our achievements regardless of the challenges ahead.
Glory and immortality to our heroic martyrs. Salute to all the fighters who wrote victory with their blood. A special salute to our tribes who raised their voices, coordinated plans, and helped achieve victory.
Eternal victory to our free people — and defeat to all those who seek to undermine their security and dignity.”