Syrian forces launch massive offensive against ISIS in Syria stronghold of Raqqa

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A new phase of offensive on Syria's Raqqa aims to encircle the city, a statement has revealed. 

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said in a statement the action was being undertaken with "increasing support from the (U.S.-led) international coalition forces through guaranteeing air

cover for our forces' advances, or via the help provided by their special teams to our forces on the battle ground".

Syrian rebels backed by a US-led coalition are trying to capture Raqqa, which has been a stronghold of the IS group. 

The US is working with the Kurdish-led rebel group Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to try to defeat IS.

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In November, the Syrian Democratic Forces began an operation to capture Raqqa, which had been held by IS since 2014. 

In December, the US announced that it would be sending 200 more personal for the operation. 

Donald Trump has requested Britain’s aid in helping to destroy final IS stronghold in Syria. 

The president invited Mrs May to deploy a battalion-sized formation as part of a 4,000 strong brigade. 

The 90,000-strong population of Raqqa has endured mass executions of its citizens. 

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have received armoured vehicles from the US-led coalition to help in their fight to beat ISIS.

A Kurdish military source has recently said the next phase of the campaign aims to cut the last remaining routes to Raqqa, including the road to Deir al-Zor, in a major blow to the terror

group.

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