Syrian troops ‘advance to IS capital’

Syrian troops have crossed into Raqqa province, nearing the capital of so-called Islamic State, activists say. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy Russian air strikes had helped the offensive. There is no Syrian or Russian confirmation. A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters started a campaign in May to expel […]

Syrian troops have crossed into Raqqa province, nearing the capital of so-called Islamic State, activists say.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy Russian air strikes had helped the offensive. There is no Syrian or Russian confirmation.
A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters started a campaign in May to expel IS militants from land north of Raqqa.
IS seized the city in 2013 from rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad.
The jihadist group quickly established its headquarters there and began imposing its vision of a state, implementing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.  It proclaimed a “caliphate” in 2014.