Fighters close in on ISIS’ Syrian hub
BEIRUT — U. S.- backed fighters on Tuesday reached the northern approaches to the Syrian city of Raqqa, the self- proclaimed capital of the Islamic State extremist group, during intense clashes and airstrikes on Raqqa’s northern and eastern edges, opposition activists said.
The latest push by the Kurdish- led Syrian Democratic Forces takes them to about 2 miles from the city where a long and deadly battle is expected in the coming weeks, said the Britain- based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The latest push comes as airstrikes have intensified in recent days. U. S.- backed fighters have pushed in toward the city, getting closer from all sides. The Syrian Democratic Forces have captured dozens of towns and villages since November, when the group began an operation aiming to surround and capture Raqqa.
The group’s fighters have cut off Raqqa from the north, west and east. The extremists still have an exit from the south.
The Observatory said Kurdish- led fighters captured gas and water facilities on the northern edge of Raqqa.
The activist- operated Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that the U. S.- led coalition targeted areas of fighting north of the city near a major Islamic State base known as Division 17.
The Observatory and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported that a land mine exploded near a vehicle west of the city, killing three people and wounding 10.