拉卡收复战：叙利亚民主军即将取得大胜

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is closing in on its largest victory against the Islamic state (IS) group in Syria's northern city of Raqqa, a monitor group reported on Sunday.

The SDF and allied fighters of the Syrian Elite forces, which are backed by the US-led coalition and led by Kurdish forces, have captured the southern parts of the strategic Sina'a neighborhood in Raqqa, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog said the SDF and other forces are trying to fully capture Sina'a, as part of intensified military operations in the eastern and northwestern parts of Raqqa. The operation in Sina'a was coupled with intense air strikes by the US-led coalition, said the Observatory, adding that if the US-backed forces succeed to fully capture Sina'a, they will be in contact with the old city of Raqqa.

The new achievement came after the SDF captured three neighborhoods in Raqqa city in an offensive that was launched Tuesday. The SDF, which is made up of Kurd, Arab and Assyrian fighters and led by the Kurdish YPG militia, captured the neighborhoods of Mashlab, Jazra, and Romaniyeh in the city.

The SDF announced their campaign to liberate Raqqa under the title of “Euphrates Wrath” in November last year, and declared their fourth stage of the attack to storm the city last Tuesday.