Shortly before anticipated reconquest of Rakka in norrn Syria, last civilians, according to SDF militia (Syrian Democratic Forces), have left former Syrian capital of IS. More than 3,000 civilians could have left as part of an agreement Rakka at night to Sunday, said a spokesman of Kurdish-Arab alliance SDF.
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In city, with exception of families of still entrenched fighters of Dschihadistenmiliz Islamic State, re are no more civilians. After a move of SDF troops against is in remaining parts of city, six districts are still under control of extremists.
A Kurdish-led alliance, in Rakka’s own claims, has launched a final offensive to expel remaining jihadists from city. Already 90 percent of city were conquered, yet re were about 150 extremists, Syrian Democratic Forces reported on Sunday. “The final battle will continue until entire city is purified by terrorists who did not want to surrender,” said opinion.
According to SDF, 275 Syrian IS fighters had emerged in past few days after an agreement for a peaceful deduction had been made with m. Among remaining combatants in few hundred meters long area in city centre are mainly foreign is-followers, but also scattered Syrian extremists.
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That is-fighter surrender is rare and is considered dishonorable among jihadists. According to international coalition led by United States, it may be because fighters are completely cut off from management level. According to Human Rights Observatory, mastermind of Paris attack series in November 2015 remained among remaining. He refuses to give up, which is why negotiations on withdrawal of fighters would not progress. The information cannot be checked independently.
According to human rights groups such as Amnesty International, hundreds of civilians have died during last few weeks in fights, air raids or devices of IS. Water, food and medicines are scarce. Over past few months, hundreds of thousands of people have fled region before battles.
The Battle of Rakka began in June, predominantly Kurdish SDF alliance was supported by intense air attacks by US-led coalition. However, in face of fierce opposition from extremists and thousands of civilians trapped in city, SDF fighters were slow to progress. Meanwhile, y control large parts of city. Rakka was long considered capital of one of IS-called caliphate, loss of city would be a heavy blow to terror militia.
