The Battle To Capture The Islamic State Capital Of Raqqa Continues

Washington Times: Turkey advances on Islamic State capital of Raqqa as U.S.-backed coalition crumbles

While the U.S.-backed campaign to retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State in Iraq makes slow but steady progress, the battle for Raqqa, Syria, the “capital” of the group’s self-styled caliphate, has gotten off to a much shakier start, with various factions of the U.S.-backed coalition already at odds.

Arab and Kurdish factions of the Syrian Defense Forces, the umbrella coalition of militia groups in the country picked by Washington to spearhead the assault on Raqqa, have begun peeling off from the main force as they inch closer to the city, U.S. defense officials said.

Meanwhile, Turkey continues its own thinly veiled drive toward the Islamic State’s capital, pressing into the Syrian city of al-Bab, 100 miles west of Raqqa.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to acknowledge the Raqqa operation, led by the Kurdish-Arab joint force.

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More News On The Battle For The Islamic State Capital Of Raqqa

Raqqa Offensive: Syrian Democratic Forces Coming Closer to Daesh 'Capital' -- Sputnik
Turkish-backed rebels and Kurds battle over Syria's al Bab -- DNA
Battle for ISIL's Syrian headquarters is huge test for U.S.-backed forces -- USA Today
Raqqa will mark Islamic State’s downfall -- Manish Rai, Asia Times
What happens to Raqqa after ISIS is defeated? -- Marwan Hisham, CNN