Talks begin on safe civilian exit from Raqa

Kobane, Syria, Oct. 11: Talks for the safe exit of civilians trapped in Syria’s Raqa were underway on Wednesday, as USbacked forces prepare a final push to recapture the city from the Islamic State group.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, have taken around 90 per cent of the city from ISIS since they broke into the city in June.

The US-backed militia has surrounded remaining ISIS fighters in just a handful of positions, but thousands of civilians are still in the city, some of them being used as human shields by the jihadists.

On Tuesday, the US-led coalition said officials from the Raqa Civil Council — a provisional administration for the city set up by the SDF — were trying to negotiate the safe passage of civilians from remaining ISIS-held areas.

“The Raqa Civil Council is leading discussions to determine the best way to enable civilians trapped by Daesh to exit the city, where some are being held as human shields by the terrorists,” the coalition said, using the

The Syrian Democratic Forces have taken around 90 per cent of the city from ISIS

The US-backed militia surrounded remaining ISIS fighters

Thousands of civilians are still in the city

Talks were focused on granting surrendering ISIS fighters and their families a way out

Arabic acronym for IS.

“Those departing Raqa who are found to have fought for Daesh will be turned over to local authorities to face justice.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, said the talks were focused on granting surrendering ISIS fighters and their families a way out of Raqa.

“The negotiations are for the exit of Daesh fighters and their families to Albu Kamal and eastern Deir Ezzor province,” said Obse-rvatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.