Syrian Kurds push ahead in their offensive toward Raqqa
BEIRUT — Backed by U.S. airstrikes, Kurdish-led Syrian fighters clashed on Monday with Islamic State militants north of the city of Raqqa in Syria as they pushed ahead in their offensive aiming to liberate the city that has been the de facto capital of the extremist group since 2014.
Members of a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syria Democratic Forces have been on the offensive in the area since late Saturday, aiming to initially isolate and encircle Raqqa.