ISIS capital nears collapse as Kurdish forces advance deep inside Raqqa city

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (1:00 P.M.) – New progress has been made in Raqqa over the past 48 hours with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) concentrating the bulk of their assault troops on the eastern suburbs of the heavily embattled city.

Pushing ever closer to the city centre, the SDF captured the ancient Harun Al-Rashid castle and Al-Mazara roundabout while imposing full control over the Al-Mahdi neighborhood along with the majority of the Al-Rafiqa district. These advanced positions now serve as a foothold in the Old City of Raqqa and will provide a launching pad for further operations.

Meanwhile, amid reports of treason by a Free Syrian Army (FSA) faction fighting alongside the SDF, the Quwwat al-Nukhbat group will now be disbanded by Kurdish commanders.

In the southern countryside of Raqqa, the SDF also advanced considerably, seizing control over Kasrat Muhammad Agha and Al-Ajil. These villages are located on the main road towards Deir Ezzor, some 10 kilometers from the provincial capital of Raqqa.