Latest in Raqqa: Clashes intensify in four sides of the city

SDF forces have delivered heavy blows to ISIS gangs in several locations across Raqqa and dozens of ISIS members were killed.

The operation launched by YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces to liberate Raqqa from ISIS on June 6, continues at full force. More than half of the city has been cleared of ISIS gangs by now and fighting gets heaviers between SDF and ISIS.

The latest reports coming through from Raqqa are as follows;

Heavy clashes are taking place between SDF fighters and ISIS gangs on all fronts of Raqqa since early Tuesday morning.

During the ongoing fighting in Rawda neighbourhood, 23 gang members were killed and one bomb-laden vehicle of the gangs was destroyed, while 1 SDF fighter was martyred and another got wounded.

Clashes also continue in Mansur neighbourhood where 12 ISIS members were killed and corpses of 4 were seized by the fighters alongside their arms. The gangs attempted an attack with a bomb-laden vehicle which was destroyed by SDF before reaching its target. 1 SDF fighter fell a martyr and 4 others were injured during the clashes here.

Another 15 ISIS members were killed in ongoing clashes in Rashid neighbourhood, and bodies and arms of 6 remained in SDF possession. Another bomb-laden vehicle of the gangs was destroyed here, while 1 SDF fighter fell a martyr and 3 others sustained injuries.

Fierce clashes also continue in al-Barid neighbourhood northwest of the city. While 5 ISIS members were killed, bodies and arms of 2 of them remain in SDF possession. 1 SDF fighter fell and another got wounded fighting here.

The neighbourhood of Nahda is also witnessing heated clashes in which 17 ISIS members were killed and bodies of 9, alongside their ammunition, were seized by the fighters. SDF frustrated another attack with a bomb-laden vehicle which they destroyed before it reached its target. 2 SDF fighters were martyred and 2 others wounded here.

In al-Diriyah neighbourhood, 7 ISIS members were killed, and bodies and ammunition of 5 were seized by the fighters.

During the fighting in Nazlat Shehade neighbourhood, the gangs attacked the positions of SDF fighters, whose retaliation resulted in clashes, leaving 14 members of the gangs dead and 8 others wounded.

SDF fighters also destroyed a bomb-laden vehicle of the gangs near the Children’s Hospital in the neighbourhood, as result of which 2 gang members were killed.