[Published here on October 9, 2017]
Raqa (Syria) (AFP) – US-backed fighters battling to oust the Islamic State group from Syria’s Raqa were nearing the “final week” of their assault, the campaign’s commander told AFP on Sunday. Continue reading
ISIS
Trapped in Syria’s Raqa, civilians become human shields for IS | AFP
[Published here October 9, 2017]
Hawi al-Hawa (Syria) (AFP) – As fighters from the Islamic State group retreat into a shrinking part of Syria’s Raqa, they are dragging along terrified civilians for cover against a ferocious US-backed onslaught.
As Syria’s Raqa battle nears end, road to rescue lengthens | AFP
[Published here October 5, 2017]
Raqa (Syria) (AFP) – “Don’t close your eyes. Stay awake!” the anti-jihadist Syrian fighter yelled at his injured comrade as a Humvee whisked them across the Islamic State group’s former stronghold Raqa. Continue reading
US-backed force scours former IS fort in Raqa | AFP
[Published here October 2, 2017]
RAQA (SYRIA) (AFP) – US-backed fighters on Monday combed through a central district of Syria’s Raqa that once housed key Islamic State group command centres, recovering communication equipment and weapons used by the jihadists.
US-backed force tightens noose on IS-held Raqa hospital | AFP
[Published here October 1, 2017]
Raqa (Syria) (AFP) – US-backed fighters were tightening the noose on Sunday around Islamic State group jihadists holed up in Raqa’s national hospital, one of the last IS-held positions in the Syrian city.
Losing Syria bastion, IS lashes out behind front lines | AFP
[Published here on September 30, 2017]
Just after sunrise outside Syria’s Raqa, dozens of Islamic State group jihadists donned Kurdish military uniforms, piled into cars with weapons, and broke back into a district they lost control of months ago.
Cornered in Raqa, IS breathing ‘last gasps’: coalition commander | AFP
[Published here on September 29, 2017]
US-led coalition compound near Kobane (Syria) (AFP) – Ousting the last Islamic State group fighters from Raqa will be tough, but the jihadists are breathing their “last gasps” in their Syrian bastion, a senior US-led coalition commander told AFP.
After dreams of freedom, a bitter escape from Syria’s Raqa | AFP
[Published here September 27, 2017]
HAWI AL-HAWA (SYRIA) (AFP) – For years, Gharam Habbal and her elderly father had desperately dreamt of escaping the Islamic State group’s hellish grip on Raqa. But when she finally fled, he wasn’t with her.
Returning home, Syrians find Raqa battered beyond recognition | AFP
[Published here September 26, 2017]
Raqa (Syria) (AFP) – Bashar Hammoud thought he knew his native Raqa like the back of his hand, but a months-long offensive against the Islamic State group has scarred the Syrian city so badly he can barely recognise it.
US-backed fighters elated over front-row seats to Raqa fall | AFP
[Published here on September 25, 2017]
Raqa (Syria) (AFP) – For three years, Syrian-Kurdish fighter Sevger Himo has been itching to witness the Islamic State group’s demise. Now, in the heart of Raqa city, he has a front-row seat.
MAYA GEBEILY 