US-backed Syrian fighters preparing for final push in Raqqa
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BEIRUT - US-backed fighters in northern Syria are preparing for a final offensive on neighborhoods still held by the Islamic State group in the city of Raqqa, a spokesman for the group said Monday.
Mustafa Bali of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces told The Associated Press that the battle is expected to last between seven to 10 days. The extremists still have hundreds of fighters in the city that was once their de facto capital.
"The Syrian Democratic Forces are reinforcing positions ahead of the final attack on the city of Raqqa," Bali said by telephone on Monday, speaking from northern Syria.
He added that no time has yet been set for the attack, thereby dismissing reports in some media that the "final offensive" had started. Bali said the biggest battles are expected to take place around the Al-Aswad Football Stadium, where IS fighters used to hold detainees.
