This frame grab from video provided by The Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces outlet that is consistent with independent AP reporting, shows Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, Spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, reads a statement after they captured the Tabqa town from the Islamic State militants, in Tabqa town, north Syria, Friday May 12, 2017.(Syrian Democratic Forces via AP) (The Associated Press)
BEIRUT – Syrian opposition activists and media say Kurdish-led forces are closing in on the de-facto capital of the Islamic State group in Syria, seizing a cotton factory only a couple of miles north of the city.
The Raqqa Campaign, a Facebook page affiliated with the Kurdish-led forces, says the fighters seized the cotton factory, 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of the city on Saturday. Kurdish media also report the factory is captured.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition, are on a multi-pronged offensive, clashing with militants northeast and northwest of Raqqa.
The Kurdish-led forces said Friday they expect to advance on Raqqa this summer, following their capture of a strategic town and dam west of the city.
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