Northern Raqqa offensive

Not to be confused with Raqqa campaign (2016–2017).

Northern Raqqa offensive (2016)
Part of the United States intervention in Syria, the War against the Islamic State, the Rojava–Islamist conflict, and the Syrian civil war
Date 21–30 May 2016 (1 week and 2 days) Location Northern Raqqa Governorate, Syria 35.9500°N 39.0167°E / 35.9500; 39.0167 Result Offensive stalled The SDF liberates 23 villages and farms The SDF shifts its focus to the Northern Aleppo Province The Syrian Arab Army launches its own Raqqa offensive
Belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces CJTF–OIR	Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Rojda Felat (YPJ commander) Nuri Mahmoud (MFS commander)	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Leader of ISIL)
Units involved
Syrian Democratic Forces People's Protection Units (YPG, the leading group) Women's Protection Units (YPJ) Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa Army of Revolutionaries Northern Sun Battalion Liwa Jund Al Haramayn Euphrates Martyrs Battalion Free Jarabulus Battalion Seljuk Brigade Kurdish Front Al-Sanadid Forces Syriac Military Council (MFS) Bethnahrain Women Protection Forces United States special operations forces	Military of ISIL
Strength
12,000–30,000 fighters	5,000–8,000 fighters (inside Raqqa city)
Casualties and losses
18 SDF fighters killed 1 US soldier wounded	79 killed
300,000 civilians displaced

The Northern Raqqa offensive was a 2016 military offensive launched by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in northern Raqqa Governorate, in order to prepare for a future attack on the city of Raqqa. The offensive was launched in coordination with airstrikes by the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. After 30 May, the offensive stalled, as the SDF shifted its focus and resources to another operation in the northern Aleppo Province.