U.S.-Backed Forces Take 'Full Control' Of Raqqa From Islamic State

U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on October 17 they took “full control” of the city of Raqqa, long the extremist group Islamic State’s main stronghold in Syria, following heavy fighting against a few dozen militants remaining in the city. SDF members could be seen raising their flags in the main square in the city. The loss of Raqqa, once the de facto capital of Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate, deals another blow to the extremist group, which seized large parts of northern Syria and Iraq in 2014 but has been losing ground in both countries over the last two years. (AFP)