Raqqa, Syria, captured

This item appears on page 15 of the December 2017 issue.

US-backed rebel Syrian forces captured the city of Raqqa, Syria, from the Islamist militant group Daesh on Oct. 17. Raqqa was the largest city still held by Daesh and was its de facto capital in Syria. It had been held by Daesh since 2014.

Since rebel forces began their assault on Raqqa in June 2017, it is estimated that at least 3,250 people were killed in the city, including at least 1,130 civilians.