The Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) consolidated control over western Raqqa’s Qadisiya neighborhood on June 26-27 after multiple ambush attacks by nearby Islamic State fighters.The battle over Raqqa is expected to take several months, particularly given IS’ modus operandi of repeated ambushes, booby-traps, suicide attacks, and hidden snipers in areas recently lost in urban environments.US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke to the media on June 27, indicating that the US will continue to provide military assistance to Kurdish fighters after the conclusion of the Raqqa offensive as it continues to develop its strategy to eliminate IS from its strongholds in Syria. Credit: YPG Press Office via Storyful