Syrian forces advance on IS ‘capital’ Raqqa

A US-backed Syrian force has begun an offensive to capture the northern city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of Islamic State, after months of clearing operations.

An American commander said the battle will be long and difficult, but success would deliver a “decisive blow” to the extremists.

By early yesterday afternoon, opposition activists said the Kurdishled Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were trying to break into the city from the east, triggering intense clashes. Raqqa was among the first cities captured by IS in January 2014, and has been the home of some of the group’s most prominent leaders.

Talal Sillo, a spokesman for the SDF, confirmed operations had begun in co-ordination with the USled coalition.

“We declare today the beginning of the great battle to liberate the city of Raqqa, the alleged capital of terrorism and terrorists,” he said.

“Morale is high and military readiness to implement the military plan is complete.”

SDF fighters began advancing towards Raqqa in November, capturing wide areas of northern Syria from the extremists. Last week, they reached the northern and eastern gates of the city after intense clashes under the cover of US-led air strikes.

Raqqa is currently surrounded from the east, north and west, and opposition activists have reported intense shelling and air strikes on the city since Monday night, which killed at least 12 people.

IS militants are not expected to give up easily. Iraqi forces launched an offensive to capture the northern city of Mosul, the largest in that country held by IS, in October and heavy fighting continues there.