US-backed forces in toughest Raqa fighting yet
Daesh
Beirut - Egypt Today
The US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance fighting to wrest the Syrian city of Raqa from the Islamic State group was engaged Monday in its toughest fighting yet, a spokeswoman said.
"The Syrian Democratic Forces are currently waging their toughest battles yet," said Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, spokeswoman for the operation launched in early June to retake IS's one-time de facto Syrian capital.
An estimated 300 diehard jihadists holding no more than 10 percent of the eastern city were bracing for a bloody last stand after the weekend evacuation of most civilians set the stage for the SDF's final assault.
The latest fighting "will bring an end to Daesh's presence, meaning they can choose between surrendering and dying," Sheikh Ahmed told AFP, using an Arabic acronym for IS.
The jihadists are trapped and the outcome of the battle is in no doubt but flushing out a group of mostly foreign fighters who have nothing to lose and who had months to prepare remains a perilous task.
"The IS elements that are still there are resisting," the spokeswoman said, adding that the neighbourhoods where fighting is under way "are fortified and heavily mined areas."
GMT 09:57 2017 Wednesday ,20 December
Air strikes kill 19 civilians in northwest SyriaGMT 09:33 2017 Monday ,18 December
IS claims attack on Kabul intelligence training centreGMT 13:56 2017 Wednesday ,06 December
Russian air strikes kill 21 civilians in east SyriaGMT 06:30 2017 Tuesday ,05 December
New 'Israeli air strikes' near DamascusGMT 16:58 2017 Sunday ,26 November
Russian strikes kill 34 civilians in Syria's Deir EzzorRussia tests new telemetry system during manned Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft’s launch
Moscow - TASS
The Astra-06 apparatus developed by specialists of Russian Space Systems (RSS) was used for the first time as additional telemetric equipment aboard the manned Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft launc...Read More
GMT 07:27 2019 Tuesday ,20 August
Think of a new strategy and give you a variety of possibilities
GMT 05:03 2017 Monday ,10 April
Investors flock to macro hedge funds
GMT 09:06 2024 Thursday ,08 February
Meghan presents fashion award to wedding dress designer Waight Keller
GMT 17:47 2017 Monday ,09 October
Egypt's Khattab gets 11 votes
GMT 16:11 2016 Tuesday ,14 June
US Gas gains as hot weather seen stoking demand, trimming glutGMT 15:18 2012 Wednesday ,25 January
Energy Conservation in Our Artificial Habitats
GMT 08:19 2015 Monday ,14 December
Takanashi, Prevc on top in Russia
GMT 09:38 2017 Friday ,30 June
Tunisian security arrested 13 members
GMT 07:19 2017 Tuesday ,29 August
Indonesian becomes official Haj guest
GMT 18:53 2013 Friday ,23 August
Loic Remy is top signing for Newcastle
GMT 11:00 2017 Wednesday ,13 December
Beauty and lifestyle magazine seeks red eye make-up
GMT 13:08 2017 Saturday ,28 October
Al-Asbahy says team ready for finalGMT 04:29 2012 Tuesday ,17 April
Whitney Houston\'s ex denies drunk driving
GMT 08:49 2017 Thursday ,23 November
Study sees link between pollution
GMT 16:25 2014 Thursday ,06 March
Moammar Gaddafi\'s son Saadi in Libyan custodyGMT 04:51 2013 Tuesday ,07 May
Malawi austerity dulls Banda\'s lustre
GMT 07:08 2014 Monday ,03 March
Lupita Nyong\'o wins Oscar for supporting actress to her first film role
GMT 13:11 2012 Monday ,23 April
Danone may raise stake in Yakult to 28%GMT 20:11 2012 Tuesday ,13 March
Dubai one of competitive citiesGMT 00:20 2011 Monday ,22 August
Rebel officials: 2 of Gaddafi\'s sons arrested in TripoliGMT 20:33 2011 Thursday ,11 August
Etihad appoints Nepal country manager
GMT 22:31 2011 Tuesday ,23 August
Chinese bank ICBC heads to UAE trade
GMT 13:34 2015 Wednesday ,25 November
Jordanian king condoles with Tunisia president over suicide attack victimsGMT 10:20 2011 Monday ,26 September
Qantas hit by long weekend strike
GMT 11:04 2018 Sunday ,23 September
Egypt's foreign minister, UN envoy mull efforts to settle Syria crisisGMT 21:52 2012 Tuesday ,10 July
Phone app will navigate indoorsGMT 05:24 2012 Saturday ,07 January
Debt-wracked eurozone under pressure againGMT 13:33 2011 Friday ,16 December
Saudi real estate among world elite in 2012
GMT 13:05 2013 Thursday ,18 July
EU expecting concessions on antitrust concerns
GMT 00:12 2014 Thursday ,21 August
Seals not Columbus brought TB to AmericasGMT 07:10 2013 Monday ,25 March
Syrian rebels have seized Daraa air base
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor