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Heavy fighting on for cornered Islamic State's fall in de facto capital Raqqa

The city of Raqqa in Syria, which now serves as Islamic State group's de facto capital, witnesses heavy fighting as US-backed Syrian fighters push for the liberation of the city from the extremists.
The city of Raqqa in Syria, which now serves as Islamic State group's de facto capital, witnesses heavy fighting as US-backed Syrian fighters push for the control and liberation of the city from the extremists. A water bottle painted with a face to represent an IS extremist on a window sill on the front line in Raqqa on Thursday. (Photo | AP)
The city of Raqqa in Syria, which now serves as Islamic State group's de facto capital, witnesses heavy fighting as US-backed Syrian fighters push for the control and liberation of the city from the extremists. A water bottle painted with a face to represent an IS extremist on a window sill on the front line in Raqqa on Thursday. (Photo | AP)
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The assault on Raqqa by the Syrian Democratic Forces --a Kurdish-led fighting coalition backed by US-led coalition airstrikes and troops, that began on June 6, has seen over 200,000 people getting displaced from the region. (Photo | AP)
The assault on Raqqa by the Syrian Democratic Forces --a Kurdish-led fighting coalition backed by US-led coalition airstrikes and troops, that began on June 6, has seen over 200,000 people getting displaced from the region. (Photo | AP)
Although official sources claim that about 45 percent of Raqqa is under the control of the government forces, the push into the city in northern Syria has, however, slowed due to stiff resistance and large amounts of explosives being planted by the extremists. (Photo | AP)
Although official sources claim that about 45 percent of Raqqa is under the control of the government forces, the push into the city in northern Syria has, however, slowed due to stiff resistance and large amounts of explosives being planted by the extremists. (Photo | AP)
Hundreds of SDF fighters on Thursday took cover inside destroyed buildings less than 500 meters from IS combatants. SDF troops lobbed dozens of mortar shells at the militants, who sent out armed drones above the SDF forces. (Photo | AP)
Hundreds of SDF fighters on Thursday took cover inside destroyed buildings less than 500 meters from IS combatants. SDF troops lobbed dozens of mortar shells at the militants, who sent out armed drones above the SDF forces. (Photo | AP)
A US-backed SDF fighter looks through a hole at IS militant positions on the front line of the industrial district on the eastern side of Raqqa. (Photo | AP)
A US-backed SDF fighter looks through a hole at IS militant positions on the front line of the industrial district on the eastern side of Raqqa. (Photo | AP)
A US-backed SDF fighter lies on the ground as he checks his sniper rifles on the front line in Raqqa on Thursday. (Photo | AP)
A US-backed SDF fighter lies on the ground as he checks his sniper rifles on the front line in Raqqa on Thursday. (Photo | AP)
As the extremists become more surrounded, they have increased their suicide attacks on fighters of the SDF, sources said. A SDF fighter defuses an IS handmade explosive device on the front line in Raqqa on Thursday. (Photo | AP)
As the extremists become more surrounded, they have increased their suicide attacks on fighters of the SDF, sources said. A SDF fighter defuses an IS handmade explosive device on the front line in Raqqa on Thursday. (Photo | AP)
The SDF however has made steady advances from the eastern and western sides of the city, reaching the walled old quarter. They have fully captured eight neighbourhoods, sources said. (Photo | AP)
The SDF however has made steady advances from the eastern and western sides of the city, reaching the walled old quarter. They have fully captured eight neighbourhoods, sources said. (Photo | AP)
Sources said the city was encircled and that the IS militants had 'no way to get out.' US soldiers fix their mines detector vehicle, at a road that links to Raqqa city. (Photo | AP)
Sources said the city was encircled and that the IS militants had 'no way to get out.' US soldiers fix their mines detector vehicle, at a road that links to Raqqa city. (Photo | AP)
The fall of Raqqa would be a huge loss for IS, which earlier this month lost the Iraqi city of Mosul. But much tougher fighting still lies ahead. (Photo | AP)
The fall of Raqqa would be a huge loss for IS, which earlier this month lost the Iraqi city of Mosul. But much tougher fighting still lies ahead. (Photo | AP)
Syria war
Syrian Democratic Forces
Syria violence
Syria IS war
Raqqa war

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