Raqqa Internal Security Forces

Raqqa Internal Security Forces

Members of the unit showcase their flag.
Active 17 May 2017 - present
Allegiance Syrian Democratic Forces
Type Police
Role Security and policing
Size c. 850[1]
Garrison/HQ Ayn Issa
Commanders
Current
commander		 Edrees Hamo[2]

The Raqqa Internal Security Forces (short: RISF) are a police unit that was formed in 2017 by the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the United States and Jordan, to handle the security in southern Raqqa Governorate, including Raqqa city, after the region's conquest from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

History

Members of the unit in Ayn Issa.

On 17 May 2017, the Raqqa Internal Security Forces (RISF) was established, with the support of the Self Defence Forces as new police unit, with the first training course being set up in Ayn Issa.[3][4] The first 50 recruits were all Arab[5] men and women,[6] some of them former members of the Asayish, and trained by U.S. and Jordian instructors "on how to conduct patrols, diffuse disputes, deal with car bombs and suicide bombers, and how to man a checkpoint".[5] After the graduation of this first batch of police officers, the unit was gradually expanded, also recruiting Kurds;[2][7] the long-term goal for the unit is to have at least 3,000 members in order to enforce law and order in Raqqa and restore stability.[5]

The RISF further expanded on 20 July, as 250 more recruits finished their training; by this point, the unit had around 800 members and was already policing various areas in the Raqqa Governorate.[8][9] By early August, 230 additional recruits graduated and joined the force, bringing it to around 850 members.[1] By the 10th August, the RISF has over 1,100 personnel.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Wladimir van Wilgenburg (5 August 2017). "Hundreds of security forces trained to protect Raqqa city in post-ISIS era". ARA News.
  2. 1 2 Hisham Arafat (27 May 2017). "Raqqa Internal Security established by Kurdish-led SDF". Kurdistan 24. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  3. ↑ http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/b4a6e17c-14b3-43dd-908d-d98869026d9d
  4. ↑ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (17 May 2017). "US-led coalition trains Raqqa Internal Forces to run post-ISIS city". ARA News. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "Anti-IS coalition trains policemen for Syria's Raqqa". Middle East Eye. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Rikar Hussein; Ahed Al Hendi (25 May 2017). "US-backed Syrian Forces Step Up Training Ahead of Raqqa Offensive". Voice of America. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "Other 150 elements joined Internal Security Forces". Hawar News Agency. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  8. ↑ "Some 250 residents join US-trained security force for Raqqa". Zaman al-Wasl. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  9. ↑ "The International Coalition Forces form the Internal Security Forces in Al-Raqqah and oversee their training and arming". SOHR. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  10. ↑ https://twitter.com/OIRSpox/status/895661780810125320
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