Raqqa Governorate

Raqqa
مُحافظة الرقة
Governorate

Map of Syria with Raqqa highlighted
Coordinates (Raqqa): 36°00′N 38°54′E / 36°N 38.9°E / 36; 38.9Coordinates: 36°00′N 38°54′E / 36°N 38.9°E / 36; 38.9
Country  Syria
Capital Raqqa
Manatiq (Districts) 3
Area
 • Total 19,616 km2 (7,574 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 944,000
 • Density 48/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
ISO 3166 code SY-RA
Main language(s) Arabic

Raqqa Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة الرقة‎, translit. Muḥāfaẓat ar-Raqqah‎) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in the north of the country and covers an area of 19,616 km². The governorate has a population of 921,000 (2010 census office estimate). The capital is Raqqa. The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant claimed full control of this province as of August 24, 2014 when its fighters captured Tabqa Airbase in the southwest part of the province.[1] However, the Syrian Democratic Forces now control much of the province ; all of the area north of the Euphrates River except the provincial capital itself and southwestern area of the province including Al Thawrah and Tabqa Dam.[2]

Districts

The governorate is divided into 3 districts (manatiq):

These are further divided into sub-districts (nawahi).

Syrian Civil War

As of 19 September 2012, the town of Tal Abyad, directly across the border from the Turkish town of Akçakale, was already under rebel control.[3][4]

On 11 February 2013, Syrian rebels, including al-Nusra fighters, took control of the Tabqa dam, and Tabqa city, according to SOHR and videos posted by rebels. Tabqa Dam, on the Euphrates river, is the largest hydroelectric dam in Syria and provides electricity to many areas, including Aleppo. Tabqa is also known as Thawrah.[5][6]

As of September 2014, governance has been fully reestablished with previous personnel who pledge allegiance to the new regime. Only the police and soldiers are ISIL fighters, who receive confiscated lodging previously owned by non-Sunnis and others who fled. ISIL asserts that it is providing welfare services, that it has established price controls, and that it has imposed taxes on the wealthy. The Raqqa Dam continues to provide electricity and water. The exportation of oil brings in tens of millions of dollars.[7]

As of July 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces occupy the majority of the province, including the city of Tabqa and parts of Raqqa, which they are currently fighting to capture from ISIL. The Syrian Government has held the southwestern part since the end of the Southern Raqqa offensive and ISIL continues to hold the southeastern part.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.dw.de/assad-no-longer-main-threat-in-syria/a-17872779
  2. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/world/kurds-unite-to-build-kurdistan-in-defiance-of-islamic-state-20150314-141xwp.html
  3. ↑ Barnard, Anne (2012-10-07). "Rebels Clash With Syrian Security Forces Near Lebanon". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ "WRAPUP 3-Syrian rebels extend grip on Turkish border". Reuters. 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  5. ↑ Saad, Hwaida; Gladstone, Rick (2013-02-11). "Syrian Insurgents Claim to Control Large Hydropower Dam". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ "Syrian rebels advance toward Aleppo airport - US News and World Report". Usnews.com. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  7. ↑ Mariam Karouny (4 September 2014). "In northeast Syria, Islamic State builds a government". Reuters.
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