Rise of the Syrian Democratic Forces

A new U.S.-backed alliance is pushing toward the Syrian town of Shadadi, a Daesh-controlled logistics hub. Command of its strategic network of highways could help isolate Raqqa – Daesh’s de facto capital
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Control and support for Daesh (so-called Islamic State)
Kurdish control
SDF alliance control
Syrian regime control

TURKEY Raqqa IRAQ LEBANON SYRIA Damascus JORDAN 100km 60 miles
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Oct 10:  U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG militia, Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC) and Christian Syriac groups form Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Strength estimated at 4,000 SAC, 12,500 YPG and 1,900 Syriac fighters

Oct 13: U.S. airdrops 50 tonnes of weapons and ammunition to SDF

Nov 12: SDF – backed by coalition air strikes – takes Khatounie

Nov 16: Al-Hawl falls to SDF

Dec 8-9: Democratic Syria Council – political front for SDF – established at city of al-Malikiyah
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Target: Shaddadi, stronghold Daesh uses for military training

TURKEY SYRIA Euphrates Raqqa RAQQA PROVINCE HOMS al-Shadadial Hasaka SDF headquarters Khatounie al-Hawl Deir al-Zawr DEIR AL-ZAWR PROVINCE Tal Afar IRAQ al-Malikiyah HASAKA PROVINCE 50km 30 miles
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Sources: Global Security, Institute for United Conflict Analysists