Raqqa Internal Security Forces

File:Members of the Raqqa internal security forces.png.]]

On 17 May 2017, the Raqqa Internal Security Forces (RISF) were established as new police unit, with the first training course being set up in Ayn Issa.{{Cite news|url=http://aranews.net/2017/05/us-led-coalition-trains-raqqa-internal-forces-to-run-post-isis-city/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523061429/http://aranews.net/2017/05/us-led-coalition-trains-raqqa-internal-forces-to-run-post-isis-city/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2017|title=US-led coalition trains Raqqa Internal Forces to run post-ISIS city|author=Wladimir van Wilgenburg|work=ARA News|date=17 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}} The first 50 recruits were all Arab{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/anti-coalition-trains-policemen-syrias-raqqa-1227633581|title=Anti-IS coalition trains policemen for Syria's Raqqa|work=Middle East Eye|date=23 May 2017|accessdate=10 July 2017}} men and women,{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/syrian-forces-step-up-training-ahead-raqqa-offensive/3871475.html|title=US-backed Syrian Forces Step Up Training Ahead of Raqqa Offensive|author1=Rikar Hussein|author2=Ahed Al Hendi|work=Voice of America|date=25 May 2017|accessdate=10 July 2017}} some of them former members of the Asayish, and trained by U.S. and Jordanian instructors "on how to conduct patrols, diffuse disputes, deal with car bombs and suicide bombers, and how to man a checkpoint". After the graduation of this first batch of police officers, the unit was gradually expanded, also recruiting Kurds;{{cite web|url=http://en.hawarnews.com/other-150-elements-joined-internal-security-forces/|title=Other 150 elements joined Internal Security Forces|work=Hawar News Agency|date=17 June 2017|accessdate=10 July 2017}} 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.

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.{{cite web|url=https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/28213.html|title=Some 250 residents join US-trained security force for Raqqa|work=Zaman al-Wasl|date=20 July 2017|accessdate=24 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=70255|title=The International Coalition Forces form the Internal Security Forces in Al-Raqqah and oversee their training and arming|work=SOHR|date=21 July 2017|accessdate=24 July 2017}} By early August, 230 additional recruits graduated and joined the force, bringing it to around 850 members.{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2017/08/hundreds-security-forces-trained-protect-raqqa-city-post-isis-era/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805060648/http://aranews.net/2017/08/hundreds-security-forces-trained-protect-raqqa-city-post-isis-era/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2017|title=Hundreds of security forces trained to protect Raqqa city in post-ISIS era|work=ARA News|author=Wladimir van Wilgenburg|date=5 August 2017}} Further 320 recruits completed their training in August. By 16 August, the RISF was around 80% Arab and 20% Kurdish according to CJTF–OIR.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/1280904/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-colonel-dillon-via-teleconference-from/|title=Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via Teleconference From Baghdad, Iraq |work=United States Department of Defense |date=16 August 2017 |access-date= 27 August 2017}}

RISF also began to release Islamic State members from prison who had only worked with, and not fought for, the organization. These pardons were facilitated by the Raqqa Civil Council, which wanted to gain the support of Raqqa Governorate's population, much of which had cooperated with or at least tolerated Islamic State.{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/syria-raqqa-islamic-state-members-pardoned/3988687.html |title=US-backed Syrian Group Pardons 96 IS Members in Raqqa |author1=Rikar Hussein |author2=Mahmoud Bali |work=Voice of America |date=16 August 2017 |accessdate=19 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2017/08/raqqa-police-forces-release-23-isis-suspects/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808143332/http://aranews.net/2017/08/raqqa-police-forces-release-23-isis-suspects/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |title=Raqqa police forces release 23 ISIS suspects |author=Wladimir van Wilgenburg |work=ARA News |date=6 August 2017 |accessdate=19 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=71852 |title=Asayish forces in Al-Raqqah release dozens of detainees who had charges related to the "Islamic state" organization |work=SOHR|date=13 August 2017 |accessdate=19 August 2017}}

After the end of the Battle of Raqqa in October 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces gradually began to hand over security responsibilities in the city to the RISF, beginning with the al-Mashleb neighborhood in November.{{cite web|url=http://en.hawarnews.com/sdf-hand-over-security-tasks-in-in-al-mashleb-to-security-forces/ |title=SDF hand over security tasks in al- Mashleb to Security Forces |work=Hawar News Agency|date=15 November 2017|accessdate=20 December 2017}} By December 2017, the Raqqa Internal Security Forces had also begun policing Ayn Issa and surrounding areas.{{cite web|url=http://sdf-press.com/en/2017/12/internal-security-forces-in-ain-issa-are-working-hard-to-achieve-security-and-safety/ |title=Internal Security Forces in Ain Issa are working hard to achieve security and safety |work=Syrian Democratic Forces press |date=23 December 2017|accessdate=15 January 2018}}

In May 2018, tensions built up between members of Arab tribes, most notably the Syrian Democratic Forces group Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa, and the rest of the alliance and the RISF over recruitment issues in Raqqa. A curfew was put in place in both Raqqa city and the rest of the governorate on 23 June, as the Syrian Democratic Forces and RISF besieged Thuwar al-Raqqa's headquarters and arrested between 90{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sdf-forces-impose-curfew-syria-s-raqqa-citing-instability-islamic-state-attacks-873502097|title=SDF forces impose curfew in Syria's Raqqa, citing instability, Islamic State attacks|publisher=Middle East Eye|date=24 June 2018|accessdate=25 June 2018}} and 200 of its members the next day.{{Cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/raqqa-city-on-lockdown-as-us-backed-forces-clash-with-local-arab-faction/|title=Raqqa city on lockdown as US-backed forces clash with local Arab faction|work=Syria Direct|date=25 June 2018}} By 25 June, the Syrian Democratic Forces and RISF had captured all of Thuwar al-Raqqa fighters and their weapons in Raqqa, completely defeating the group, and the curfew was ended.{{Cite web|url=http://hawarnews.com/en/haber/internal-security-ended-emergency-state-h2171.html|title=Internal Security ended emergency state|work=Hawar News Agency|date=25 June 2018}}

Image:Members of the Raqqa Internal Security Forces 2.png|RISF recruits after the completion of their training

Image:Members of the Raqqa Internal Security Forces 3.png|RISF policewomen

Image:Idris Muhammad (RISF spokesman).png|Idris Muhammad, spokesman of the RISF

Image:Risf.jpg|An RISF policeman providing security atop the Raqqa Civil Council building, 18 August 2018

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Category:Syrian Democratic Forces

Category:Law enforcement in Syria

Category:Organizations based in Syria