United States forces

Syria: United States-backed forces claim control of Islamic State’s one-time capital of Raqqa

The United States backed forces in Syria say they now control so-called Islamic state’s one-time capital of Raqqa, with only a few dozen militants remaining in the city.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said they had retaken Al-Naim square, where is once held public executions.

Reports say an official declaration that the city has been recaptured will be made soon.

More than three thousand civilians have escaped the city in recent days.