U.S.-backed force launches assault on Raqqa

A U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters has launched an operation to capture Raqqa, de facto capital of Islamic State

SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES (SDF): Alliance of around 50,000 Kurdish and ethnic Arab militia dominated by Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) – key ally of U.S.-led coalition against IS in Syria


SYRIA

Raqqa

Damascus


SDF attacks


Division 17 military base

Andalus


RAQQA

Clocktower roundabout

OLD CITY

Mishlab district

River Euphrates

800km
2,600ft


3,000-4,000 Islamic State fighters thought to be holed up in city

UN estimates around 160,000 people still trapped in city



Source: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights 

Picture: Google Earth

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