US-backed forces push closer to IS 'capital' Raqa

A US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance pushed closer to Raqa and Iraqi forces seized a key town near Mosul as offensives advanced yesterday against the two Islamic State strongholds

Members of US-backed Kurdish-Arab forces deploy on the frontline, 1 km from the Syrian town of Ain Issa, 50 km north of Raqa. Pic/AFP

Ain Issa (Syria): A US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance pushed closer to Raqa and Iraqi forces seized a key town near Mosul as offensives advanced yesterday against the two Islamic State strongholds.

After announcing the start of the long-awaited offensive on Raqa on Sunday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance said it had moved south towards the city despite fierce jihadist resistance.

South of Mosul, Iraqi forces had retaken Hamam al-Alil from IS, a key objective in their three-week advance on the city.

Raqa and Mosul are the last major cities in Syria and Iraq under the jihadists' control and their capture would deal a blow to the self-styled "caliphate" IS declared in mid-2014.

The US-led coalition that launched operations against IS two years ago is providing crucial backing to the offensives, with both air strikes and special forces advisers on the ground.

SDF spokeswoman Jihan Sheikh Ahmed said forces had advanced on two fronts towards Raqa amid heavy fighting. Alliance forces had pushed at least 10 km south towards the city from the towns of Ain Issa and Suluk, she added, also saying, "The offensive is going according to plan."

10
Number of villages taken from the IS so far

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