Raqqa Governorate

Raqqa

مُحافظة الرقة
Raqqa مُحافظة الرقة
UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 code	SY-RA

Raqqa Governorate (

a successful offensive was launched with the aid of Liwa al-Quds, tribal militias and Russian air support, which resulted in the recapture of the city of Resafa,^[5]^[6] and the capture of many oil fields in Ar-Raqqah province, including various oil and gas stations.^[7]^[8]

History

Modern Syria (1946–2011)

On November 17, 1957, during the presidency of Shukri al-Quwatli, Al-Rashid Governorate, named after Harun al-Rashid, was carved out from the adjacent Deir ez-Zor Governorate. Subsequently, on January 1, 1970, the Governorate's name was changed to Raqqa Governorate.^[9]

Syrian Civil War (2011-present)

As of 19 September 2012, the town of

which?].^[10]^[11]

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.^[12]^[13]

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^[dubious – discuss] 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 continued to provide electricity and water. The exportation of oil brought in tens of millions of dollars.^[14]

As of July 2017, the

Rojava

, the governorate has been fully cleared from ISIL.

Geography

Settlements

Raqqa is the provincial capital; other major settlements include Abu Hamad, Abu Susah, Al Hawrah, Al Qaltah, Al-Sabkhah, Al-Thawrah, Ar Ruhayyat, Ar Rusafah, Ath Thadyayn, Bash Dulki, Dulq Maghar, Fatsat ath Thayb, Hamrat Nasir, Jubb al Abyad, Kasrat Muraybit, Ma'adan, Matir, Nasiriyah, Suluk and Tell Abyad.