The Islamic State Is Fortifying Raqqa Readying For A Military Offensive From Kurdish/Syrian Rebel Forces

The Independent: Isis fortifies Raqqa as it braces for an international assault on its Syrian stronghold

The group has reportedly shut off the internet, ramped up conscription efforts and is building a network of tunnels and bunkers as its digs in for a potential siege.

The Isis militant group is reportedly fortifying its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa ahead of an expected backlash from the international community in the wake of the Paris attacks.

France has redoubled its air strikes on Raqqa following the atrocity in the French capital and, with Britain preparing to set out a “comprehensive plan” to combat Isis this week, efforts to strike the group at its heart are growing.

On the ground, loosely allied Kurdish and other rebel forces – backed by the US-led anti-Isis coalition, have gathered just 20 miles to the north.

In recent weeks they have proven their capabilities on the battlefield, with the Sinjar offensive shutting off a key supply route between Raqqa and Isis’s Iraqi command centre in Mosul.

WNU Editor: Here is a good post on Raqqa from the New York Times .... Inside Raqqa, the Capital of ISIS (New York Times)

More News On The Battle For Raqqa

Isis fortifies Raqqa base ready for ‘war of a hundred armies’ -- The Times
Syria exclusive: Kurdish forces dig in just outside ISIS headquarters in Raqqa -- CNN
ISIS Digs In, Anticipating Assault on Syria's Raqqa -- Oracle Herald
Iraqi Kurdish Leader: Peshmerga Could Help Liberate Raqqa from Islamic State -- Breitbart
France, Russian Federation carry out air strikes against IS in Syria -- Observer
ISIS Declares French Airstrikes On Raqqa A Failure -- Vocativ
Russian Federation bombards Raqqa, ISIS headquarters in Syria -- Press Chronicle
Chemical weapon white phosphorous 'is being used in Raqqa air strikes' -- The Independent
Letter from Raqqa: 'A prison guarded by men in black' -- Al Jazeera
Telling the Truth About ISIS and Raqqa -- David Remnick, New Yorker