Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Islamic State Ousted From Syria's Raqqa

by VOA News

   The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said Tuesday they seized the
   last remaining areas of Raqqa, Syria, from Islamic State militants.

   A spokesman for the SDF, which is made up of Kurdish and Arab militias,
   told reporters the fighting in Raqqa was over. The Britain-based Syrian
   Observatory for Human Rights also announced that Raqqa had been
   liberated.

   SDF fighters stormed a stadium that had been the last Islamic State
   base in the city after capturing a hospital that also served as a
   command center.

   The offensive to oust the militants from Raqqa began in June, and was
   backed by airstrikes and other support from a U.S.-led coalition.

   Coalition spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon said on Twitter that Raqqa was 90
   percent under SDF control.

   Raqqa was Islamic State's de facto capital, a place where it planned
   attacks abroad, celebrated its victories in Iraq and Syria and
   performed executions.

   Islamic State still controls areas around Deir el-Zour and further
   south in the Euphrates river valley.