Islamic State holds civilians as human shields in Syrian city

BEIRUT — Residents of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa live in terror, trapped as a massive human shield in the Islamic State’s de facto capital ahead of the final battle with U.S.-backed opposition forces for the militant group’s last major urban stronghold.

Air strikes by the U.S.-led coalition shake the city almost daily, mainly hitting northern neighborhoods, amid reports of civilians killed by strikes in the nearby countryside.

Mass panic erupted on Sunday, when Islamic State announced on mosque loudspeakers that U.S. strikes had hit a dam to the west of Raqqa.

“The people really don’t know where to go,” said the activist, saying residents were caught between air strikes, land mines and Islamic State fighters mingling among civilians.

The only Internet access is in a few approved cafes, where patrons must give their names and addresses and endure spot checks by Islamic State fighters, who burst in and order everyone to raise their hands so computer screens can be inspected.

For the Raqqa campaign, a multiethnic force of Syrian fighters, dominated by Kurds and supported by U.S. special forces, artillery and air power, has been maneuvering to isolate the city.