Peshmerga could be part of Raqqa liberation

[Anthea]

Rudaw

President Barzani says Peshmerga could be part of Raqqa liberation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani said the Peshmerga could be part of a coalition to liberate Raqqa, the city in Syria that the Islamic State group (ISIS) considers its capital.

"As part of a powerful international coalition, it is also possible that the Peshmerga are part of the forces to liberate the city of Raqqa," Barzani told French weekly Journal du Dimanche.

Later Sunday, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian urged attacks on Raqqa and Mosul, ISIS’ stronghold city in Iraq, as he declared that French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will be ready for attacks on ISIS starting Monday.

In a televised interview, Le Drian declined to say when jets on board the carrier were going to strike ISIS-held territory. He emphasized that coalition forces should aim to retake Raqqa.

He noted that only a ground operation would ultimately dislodge ISIS from its positions, regardless of the scope of US, French and Russian airstrikes against the militants.

Noting the comments by Barzani about a possible Peshmerga role in fighting for Raqqa, Le Drian said that the Kurds or the Free Syrian Army could be the boots on the ground for victory against ISIS.

“I saw this morning that President Barzani says 'I'm willing to go to Raqqa,' Le Drian said. “Well yes, we will have to organize ourselves to take Raqqa. Tomorrow's objective is Raqqa."

France has intensified its aerial bombing in Syria since ISIS attacked a concert hall, cafes, restaurants and a stadium last week in Paris, killing 129 people and wounding hundreds.