Isis using ‘civilians as human shields’ in Raqqa as US-backed Kurdish offensive launched

Islamic State (Isis) militants will use “human shields” to defend their de-facto capital Raqqa as a US-backed force of Kurds and Arab fighters begin an offensive on the city, say activists. On 24 May the 30,000-strong Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began approaching the city from the countryside to the north.

 

The aim is to expel fighters from the towns and villages north of the city with the help of western air strikes from above. The umbrella SDF coalition consists of Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) with Arab, Christian and Turkmen militias and is thought to be a precursor for an invasion of the Daesh (Isis) stronghold at some point towards the end of the year.

 

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