IS holds terrified civilians as human shields in Syrian city

Pledging Residents cooperation,of the northernthe top Syrian Republican city of and Raqqa Democratlive in on terror,the Senate trapped intelligenceas a massive committee human said shield Wednesdayin the Islamic they State’s would de steer facto clear capital of politics aheadin theirof the panel’s final probe battle of with Russian U.S.-backed interference oppositionin last year’s forces election.for the militantThey made group’sa point last of major putting urban themselves stronghold.at arm’s length from the HouseA belt investigationof land mines marked and by militant partisanship checkpointsand disputes. circle the city. Inside, Richardall the Burr men of have North been Carolina, ordered theto wearGOP chairmanthe jihadis’ of garbthe Senateof baggy committee,pants and longtold reportersshirts — makingon Capitol Hillit difficulthe would to not distinguisheven answer Islamic questions State about militantsthe Housefrom civilians.probe. “We’re not Hundredsasking the if Housenot thousandsto play any of role in Syriansour investigation.who fled from We otherdon’t plan parts to playof the any countryrole in theirnow live investigation,”in tents in Burr Raqqa’s said streets,ahead of vulnerablehis panel’s to open both hearing warplanes Thursday.and ground Standing fighting. alongside Enormoushis committee’ tarps rankinghave been Democrat, stretchedSen. Markfor blocks Warner in of the Virginia,city center Burr to said: hide “Markthe militants’and I work movements hand in hand fromon this spy. ... planes We’re and partners satellites. to see that this is completed and that we have a product— Theat the Associatedend of the Press day that we can.”