U.S.-backed forces cut IS route out of Raqqa

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have cut the last main road out of Raqqa, a major step in the four-month campaign to capture the de facto capital of Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate

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AREAS OF CONTROL

Syrian regime

So-called Islamic State (IS)

Free Syrian Army (FSA) / Turkish army

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

Alliance of Kurdish and ethnic Arab militia dominated by Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) – key ally of U.S.-led coalition against IS in Syria

Other rebel groups


T U R K E Y

LEB.

Damascus

JORDAN

Detail map

SYRIA

IRAQ

200km 120 miles

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Jarabulus

Azaz

Al-Bab

Aleppo

Maskaneh

20km 12 miles

Kobane

TURKEY

Manbij

Tal Abyad

Ain Issa

Tal Saman

Front line on Nov 5

Tabqah

Raqqa

Monday: SDF forces cut road linking Raqqa and IS strongholds in Deir el-Zour province

Route south across Euphrates is only remaining way out of city

SYRIA

Hasakah

Shadadi

Deir el-Zour

Euphrates

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Sources: ISW, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

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