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Gallery|ISIL/ISIS

The final days of battle in Raqqa

Kurdish and Arab fighters of the SDF push the front line, as civilians continue to flee the former ISIL stronghold.

FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
The national hospital where there is a large number of civilians seen through a hole in an SDF forward position, in the west front line of Raqqa. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
By Mauricio Morales
Published On 16 Oct 201716 Oct 2017
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The deserted streets Raqqa bear witness to a fight that is almost over.

Almost one year has passed since the launch of a military campaign in the Syrian province, claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) as the group’s capital.

The SDF, backed by US troops on the ground, with air support from the coalition is in the thick of a final offensive.

The SDF is a group created by and led mostly by YPG Kurdish militias and integrated with Arab fighters and fighters from other minorities. Without a great number of men and armoured vehicles, the SDF had managed to quickly take control of areas of the city.

Civilians have been fleeing the city since the offensive began, but it is feared that almost 1,500 people are still trapped in the National Hospital and the stadium, which are surrounded by SDF forces.

Areas that are not yet taken by the SDF are hit daily by air raids and shelling attacks.

ISIL defends its position with snipers and occasional shelling, but front-line commanders fear the area is rigged with IEDs.

FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
An SDF commander awaits instructions in a forward position near the children's hospital in the west front line of Raqqa. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Occasional fire is exchanged between ISIL fighters in the National Hospital and SDF forces in the west front line. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Coalition air raids are constant in the ISIL positions in the front lines of Raqqa. Estimates say that from some days ago, 10-20 air raids and artillery attacks are taking place daily. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
An SDF fighter of the Qamishlo unit is transported to the front line near the Raqqa stadium in the western front - one of the last pockets of ISIL fighters in the city. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Sniper fire stops the advance of fighter convoys to the city's front lines. Ground troops call for precision air attacks for support. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Some SDF commanders say they do not have enough men and that the fighters are exhausted after months of battles. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Fighters prepare to leave after shelling diminishes in the western front. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Fighters prepare to distribute food to units in the eastern front. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
Ain Issa refugee camp holds around 2,000 people who have fled the violence. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
A new camp is being built and new families arrive some from Deir Az Zor where SDF units are still fighting ISIL fighters. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
FINAL DAYS OF RAQQA BATTLE/ PLEASE DO NOT USE
SDF fighters in the eastern front of Raqqa have been waiting for days in the same position. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]


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