Battle For The Syrian City Of Raqqa -- News Updates June 18, 2017

Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units fires rifles at a drone operated by Islamic State militants in Raqqa. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

Al-Monitor: Hundreds flee battles in Raqqa

ALEPPO, Syria — Dozens of vehicles carrying displaced citizens from Raqqa province arrive in Aleppo’s northern countryside daily. Raqqa has witnessed violent battles between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Islamic State (IS) since June 6, when the SDF launched military operations in the province to expel IS.

The SDF took control of Raqqa city, which is located in northeast Syria, in March 2013, but IS fought the armed opposition factions in the city and took complete control of the city in early 2014. Because the fighting in Raqqa had calmed down, it soon turned into a destination for Syrian refugees from cities and villages where violent battles with the Syrian regime forces were raging.

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Battle For The Syrian City Of Raqqa -- News Updates June 18, 2017

Spirits high among Kurds in Syria as coalition battles for Raqqa -- Reuters
US-backed SDF secures Raqqa neighborhood, storms three others -- NRT
US-Backed Syrian Forces Push Deeper into IS Bastion of al-Raqqa -- Latin American Herald Tribune
US-backed Syrian forces push into Raqqa despite fierce resistance -- NRT
US-Led Coalition Conducts 20 Strikes on Daesh Targets Near Syria's Raqqa -- Sputnik
Syria troops advance in Raqqa towards Deir Ezzor -- Al Arabiya
In Syria, night is a friend to anti-ISIL fighters -- The National
US-backed Syrian forces disclose outcome of 10-day fighting in Raqqa -- Kurdistan24
SDF Announce 312 IS Fighters Killed in 10-Day Offensive in Syria’s al-Raqqa -- Latin American Herald Tribune
U.S.-led airstrikes on Syria's Raqqa cause 'staggering' civilian deaths, U.N. says -- Chicago Tribune/Washington Post
HRW Concerned About Phosphorus Use by U.S. Coalition in Raqqa -- Reuters
Why Islamic State Chose Raqqa as Its Syrian Capital -- Rikar Hussein, VOA
Who will control a liberated Raqqa? -- Chris Johannes, RUDAW