(MENAFN) Around 2.000 IS fighters are projected to stay in Raqqa, fighting for their survival in the face of an offensive by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.
Accordingly, the SDF had cleared almost 45 percent of Raqqa since launching an attack in June in order to seize IS's stronghold in northern Syria.
Moreover, the assault on Raqqa coincided with the final stages of a campaign in order to drive IS from the Iraqi city of Mosul.
In addition, IS has lost 27.000 square miles of the territory it once held in the two nations, 78 percent of what they had seized in Iraq and 58 percent of what they held in Syria.
MENAFN0608201700450000ID1095698546
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.