SDF captures Thakana District, advances toward central Raqqa
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters hold up their weapons in the north of Raqqa city, Syria February 3, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said
Raqqa (Syrian News) The Syrian Democracy Forces (SDF), backed by U.S. troops, captured al-Thakana District, in the center of the city of Raqqa, after fierce battles with the Islamic State militants, Qasioun News reported on Wednesday.
Violent battles took place between the Syrian Democratic Forces militias and the Islamic State militants in the vicinity of al-Rasheed Park and the General Hospital of Raqqa, amid artillery and rockets shelling.
The battles resulted in the killing of five members of the SDF and wounding of twelve others, following two suicide blasts in the outskirt of the General Hospital.
Furthermore, SDF was able to detonate a car bomb before reaching its target, while managed to capture more than 70% of the city of Raqqa since the start of the military operation on June 6th.