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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.

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]
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
16 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.

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]
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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Occasional fire is exchanged between ISIL fighters in the National Hospital and SDF forces in the west front line. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Occasional fire is exchanged between ISIL fighters in the National Hospital and SDF forces in the west front line. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Some SDF commanders say they do not have enough men and that the fighters are exhausted after months of battles. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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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Fighters prepare to leave after shelling diminishes in the western front. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Fighters prepare to leave after shelling diminishes in the western front. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Fighters prepare to distribute food to units in the eastern front. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Fighters prepare to distribute food to units in the eastern front. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Ain Issa refugee camp holds around 2,000 people who have fled the violence. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Ain Issa refugee camp holds around 2,000 people who have fled the violence. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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]
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]
SDF fighters in the eastern front of Raqqa have been waiting for days in the same position. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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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Evacuation ends as ISIL defeat in Syria’s Raqqa nears

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Battle for Raqqa continues after some ISIL fighters leave their self-proclaimed capital in Syria under withdrawal deal.

US-backed forces fighting ISIL says they are waging the "final" battle to uproot the group from the city of Raqqa [Erik De Castro/Reuters]

ISIL faces imminent Raqqa defeat, Syria’s YPG says

Battle in ISIL’s de facto capital in Syria on verge of being finished, Kurdish group says, amid reports of evacuations.

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