US-backed force takes 90% of Syria's Raqa from IS: monitor
IS reportedly withdrew from at least five key neighbourhoods
A military convoy composed of 140 trailers carrying US-made armoured vehicles, bulldozers, and arms, through Simalka border crossing between Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan, and headed for SDF forces fighting in Raqa, in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on September 19, 2017. PHOTO: AFP.
BEIRUT:
US-backed fighters have captured 90 percent of the Syrian city of Raqa from the Islamic State group after overrunning five strategic neighbourhoods, a monitor said on Wednesday.
"Because of the heavy (US-led) coalition air strikes, IS withdrew from at least five key neighbourhoods over the past 48 hours," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman.
"This allowed the Syrian Democratic Forces to control 90 percent of the city."
US-backed fighters have captured 90 percent of the Syrian city of Raqa from the Islamic State group after overrunning five strategic neighbourhoods, a monitor said on Wednesday.
"Because of the heavy (US-led) coalition air strikes, IS withdrew from at least five key neighbourhoods over the past 48 hours," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman.
"This allowed the Syrian Democratic Forces to control 90 percent of the city."