From a center of oppression, tyranny to a beacon of democratic nation philosophy

Raqqa canton is located in the northeastern region of Syria, sitting on the banks of the great Euphrates River, surrounded by fertile agricultural lands. Despite the abundance of agricultural resources, Raqqa became a battleground of conflict and suffering since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, until its liberation on October 20, 2017. 

 The residents of Raqqa primarily rely on agriculture, especially in the areas along the banks of the Euphrates River, in addition to livestock farming. Cotton cultivation ranks first in the city, reflecting the importance of agriculture as a backbone of the local economy.

Marginalized city

 The city of Raqqa has great significance for the general Syrian population, as it contains many important archaeological sites, most notably the city walls built by the Abbasids in 720 AD, in addition to the Baghdad Gate, the Harran Gate, and the Old Mosque (Al-Mansour Mosque). There are also historical palaces in the city, such as the Girls' Palace.

 However, the Syrian regime did not give sufficient attention to the city of Raqqa and its surroundings, as it was systematically marginalized. The regime sought to sow discord and incite divisions among the city's tribes to achieve its personal and authoritarian interests. As a result, Raqqa rose up against the authorities after the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, demanding freedom and justice.

Isolated from the world

 The city of Raqqa is considered one of the first cities to break free from the control of the Syrian regime, as what is known as the "Free Syrian Army" took control of the city in March 2013. However, the residents suffered from the horrors of their practices, which began with the kidnapping of civilians and demanding ransom for their release, extending to the looting of factories, workshops, and shops and selling them.

 In January 2014, ISIS mercenaries completely took control of the Raqqa area, plunging the city into a dark era. Raqqa turned into a large prison and became the main stronghold of ISIS mercenaries, where it became the decision-making center for their leader and their so-called capital, attracting foreign mercenaries from all over the world.

 During the control of the city of Raqqa by ISIS mercenaries, a large number of its residents fled to escape their brutality, and a series of murders, destruction, and intimidation began throughout the city. The moans of Raqqa have reached all corners of the earth, due to the torment and injustice suffered by the residents.

 ISIS mercenaries isolated the city from the outside world, and little is known about it or the conditions of its residents. Some activists have published photos documenting the mercenaries' crimes, including executions carried out by beheading or shooting in the main squares.

Liberation

In response to the calls and pleas of the people of Raqqa, the Syrian Democratic Forces launched the "Euphrates Rage" campaign on November 6, 2016, to liberate the city from the oppression and brutality of ISIS mercenaries. The forces confirmed in the campaign statement: "Raqqa will be liberated by the hands of its sons and factions, from Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen, the heroes united under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces." We will win this decisive battle just as we won in Kobani, Tal Abyad, Hasakah, al-Hol, al-Shaddadi, and Manbij.

The campaign to liberate the city was carried out in several stages, in order to preserve the lives of civilians whom the mercenaries used as human shields while advancing towards the neighborhoods. The operation began by isolating the city from its surroundings, focusing on securing the surrounding areas before advancing towards the heart of the city.

During the ongoing battles between the Syrian Democratic Forces and ISIS mercenaries, specialized groups were formed for liberation operations and protecting civilians. These groups were trained professionally, receiving special training on how to deal with civilians from all categories, including children, women, men, and the elderly.

In addition, the fighters underwent professional military training, including how to clear mines, which enabled them to enter areas that were under the control of ISIS mercenaries and liberate civilians from their oppression. These exercises also helped in detecting infiltrating and hiding mercenaries among civilians, contributing to the protection of the population and ensuring their safety during military operations.

On October 17, 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces liberated the entire city of Raqqa after nearly four months of continuous battles as part of the fourth phase of the "Euphrates Rage" campaign. These battles cost the city the destruction of more than 80% of its infrastructure and residential buildings.

 The liberation of the city was officially announced on October 20, through a statement read in the municipal stadium, which was turned into a crime scene by ISIS mercenaries and was known among the locals as the "Black Stadium."

Foundation

 The residents fleeing from the city of Raqqa, after the control of ISIS mercenaries, formed the Raqqa Civil Council on April 18, 2017, in the city of Ain Issa, in an effort to provide services, manage organizational matters, and solve the problems faced by the residents through councils and reconciliation committees.

 With the return of life to the city and the relocation of residents to the neighborhoods that have been cleared of war remnants and mines, the Raqqa Civil Council moved its committees and centers from the city of Ain Issa to the city of Raqqa on April 4, 2018, to facilitate the council's movement and meet the region's needs.

 This transformation reflects the efforts of the local community in rebuilding their city and overcoming the effects of the conflict, which enhances the stability of the region and gives hope to the residents for a better future.

The Era of Freedom

 After the liberation of the city of Raqqa, the city entered a new era, described by its residents as the era of freedom, where work began on establishing a decentralized democratic system based on the ideology of the democratic nation and the ideas of leader Abdullah Ocalan.

 Raqqa began to organize itself by forming communes and institutions that serve the interests of the people, with the aim of improving the city's reality, removing the remnants and dark ideas of ISIS mercenaries, and spreading the thought of the democratic nation.

 In this context, Hassan Al-Mustafa, co-chair of the Culture and Antiquities Authority in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Raqqa, explained that the city is renowned for its culture, agriculture, and diversity among its components. However, Raqqa suffered from the repressive and marginalizing policies of the Damascus government, which sought to isolate it from economic and cultural development, making it a remote area that many people do not think about.

 Hassan al-Mustafa pointed out that the city of Raqqa has suffered for many years from the fluctuations of regimes and armed extremist groups, which led to the spread of extremist and criminal ideas among many of the city's residents. He continued, saying: "The spark of light came after the victory of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the battle to defeat terrorism from the city of Kobani, to begin the liberation operations reaching the city of Raqqa, the stronghold and capital of ISIS, and expelling them after battles that lasted four months, freeing its people from the oppression of slavery and exploitation."

 This victory was not just a military liberation, but the beginning of a new phase of hope and change in the city, where the residents are striving to rebuild their community on democratic foundations.

From the capital of extremist ideas to the thought of the democratic nation

Hassan al-Mustafa explained: "With the liberation of the city and the entry of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Raqqa region, and the return of the residents to it, the ideas of the democratic nation and the culture of accepting others and the diversity of components and ethnicities began to spread." The credit for that goes to the thought and philosophy of leader Abdullah Ocalan, who advocates for equality, the freedom of peoples, and solidarity and cooperation among all components.

Al-Mustafa pointed out that the city of Raqqa has become a model to be emulated in thought and culture at the level of the North and East Syria region and Syria in general, after having been a stronghold of "terrorist groups and extremist and radical thought."

Al-Mustafa confirmed that the processes of building and uplifting the city's reality have begun on various levels, as the first cultural lecture was held on April 10, 2018, delivered by the late intellectual and researcher Ali al-Sweihah titled "the Role of the Syriacs in the History of Raqqa."

And Al-Mustafa noted: "This lecture is a marvel, as the city was still bustling with debris blocking the streets." However, we wanted to prove to the world that the city of Raqqa refuses to surrender and aspires to live despite all the difficulties it has gone through.

Hassan al-Mustafa also pointed out that the city of Raqqa has transformed into a city that brings together all the factions and components of the Syrian people, where they live in love and brotherhood despite their different religions and beliefs. He said, "This matter was absent in the previous years (before its liberation), and all of this is thanks to the Democratic Nation ideology proposed by leader Abdullah Ocalan."

Now, the city of Raqqa has become the center of the North and East Syria region, which adopts the thought and philosophy of the Democratic Nation. The city, which was marginalized during the rule of the Damascus government and looted during the rule of the so-called Free Syrian Army, has transformed into a center for spreading the philosophy and thought of accepting the other and coexistence based on the principles of equality and social justice.

T/ Satt.

ANHA