(Wall Street Journal) Raja Abdulrahim - The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are leading the assault to oust Islamic State from its capital in Raqqa, Syria. The Pentagon estimates there are fewer than 2,500 Islamic State militants left in the city, down from 4,500. Militants had spent months preparing for the assault before it began in June. They dug tunnels beneath streets and homes, set up snipers' nests and planted explosives everywhere to stop people from fleeing. Islamic State leaders and many fighters abandoned the city and headed to the eastern province of Deir Ezzour, residents said.
2017-08-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive