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US-backed forces take 90% of Raqqa from Isis in major offensive US-backed forces take 90% of Raqqa from Isis in major offensive
(35 minutes later)
A Syrian monitoring group says Isis has lost control of up to 90 per cent of its de facto capital Raqqa following a series of successful operations by US-backed forces. A Syrian monitoring group says Isis has lost control of up to 90 per cent of its de facto capital Raqqa following a series of successful operations by US-backed forces.
The Kurdish YPG militia is spearheading the offensive to drive the jihadist group out of its remaining strongholds in eastern Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday almost all of the city was now held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 90 per cent of Raqqa was now held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF, a coalition made up of both Kurdish and Arab fighters, managed to encircle the city in June, when a full-scale offensive to oust the militants began.
More follows At least 300,000 civilians have fled since, braving Isis sniper fire and improvised explosives devices (IEDs), as well as US-led coalition bombing. 
  When Raqqa falls Isis’ so-called caliphate across eastern Syria and western Iraq will be all but destroyed, with militants relegated to a handful of remaining desert outposts. 
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