Rappler's latest stories on Raqa
Amnesty International condemns US-led coalition over Raqa civilian killings
'The US-led coalition's ongoing failure to admit to, let alone adequately investigate, the shocking scale of civilian deaths and destruction it caused in Raqa is a slap in the face for survivors,' Amnesty International says in a statement
Syria forces declare 'curfew' in Raqa, fearing ISIS attacks
Raqa International Security Forces says it had received information that terrorist groups working on behalf of ISIS have 'entered Raqa to carry out attacks against stability and security'
To fast or not? Free of IS, Syrians in Raqa mark relaxed Ramadan
For more than three years, residents of Raqa were subjected to IS' ultra-strict interpretation of Islamic law – particularly stringent during the holy month of Ramadan.
Two mass graves found in Raqa – Syrian state media
It is not immediately clear when the bodies found had been killed, other than while ISIS controlled the northerly province
2017: The year the 'caliphate' collapsed
The jihadist group lost its two main hubs, Mosul in Iraq and Raqa in Syria, earlier this year and is now only clinging to the dregs of a 'caliphate'
Trump says end of ISIS caliphate 'in sight' after Raqa's fall
The declaration comes 4 days after US-backed Kurdish-led forces recaptured Raqa, the last major stronghold of ISIS in Syria
Fighters in Syria's Raqa prepare for civilian handover
Raqa's capture leaves the jihadists with little remaining territory in Syria, most of it in neighboring Deir Ezzor province, where some SDF fighters are already headed to carry on the campaign
Forces comb ghost city Raqa after ISIS ouster
US-backed forces comb the ruins of Raqa for survivors and bombs after retaking the Syrian city from Islamic State (ISIS) group jihadists
ISIS loses emblematic Syria stronghold Raqa
The victory caps a battle of more than 4 months for Raqa, and hammers another nail in the coffin of the jihadist group's experiment in statehood
3,000 civilians flee Syria's Raqa under deal – militia spokesman
'More than 3,000 civilians left on Saturday night as part of a deal and went to areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces,' says militia spokesman Talal Sello
Dozens of IS fighters surrender as Raqa's fall nears
The city's loss would be a new blow for IS, which has already been driven from its strongholds in Iraq including second city Mosul
100 ISIS fighters surrender in Raqa in 24 hours
"Within the past 24 hours, approximately 100 ISIS terrorists have surrendered in Raqa, and were removed from the city," the coalition says.
U.S.-backed force seizes 90% of Syria's Raqa from ISIS
Under siege in the northern city for 3 months, ISIS is struggling to defend its one-time bastion under a barrage of air strikes by the US-led coalition battling the jihadists in Syria and Iraq
Civilians in ISIS-held Raqa under fire 'from all sides' – Amnesty
Residents trapped in the Syrian city of Raqa face the threat of air strikes and intense artillery fire
U.S.-backed forces breach ISIS defenses in heart of Syria's Raqa
3rd UPDATE The landmark advance in ISIS s notorious Syria bastion comes as the jihadists face an expected defeat within days in Iraq s second city Mosul
U.S.-backed forces cut off last ISIS escape route from Raqa
But ISIS fighters hit back with a counterattack that included several suicide bombings against the Syrian Democratic Forces an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters trying to seize control of the city
Daunting aid challenges as civilians flee Syria's Raqa
A key problem is getting aid supplies to the relatively remote desert region in Syria s north with just a trickle of assistance currently crossing from neighboring Turkey and Iraq
U.S.-backed Syria force advances in Raqa, battles for base
The Syrian Democratic Forces says its fighters had liberated the neighborhood of Al Romaniya on the western front of Raqa
U.S. man convicted after agreeing to be ISIS suicide bomber
Mohamad Jamal Khweis will be sentenced on October 13 and faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of life in prison
U.S.-backed fighters thrust into ISIS bastion Raqa
3rd UPDATE The attack on the northern city at the heart of ISIS Syrian territory has been 7 months in the making and is backed by air support military advisers and weapons deliveries from the US led coalition
Trump, Erdogan agree on Syria cooperation, CIA chief visit – Ankara
Erdogan has high hopes of Trump after expressing disappointment in the past with the former US administration of Barack Obama
Suspected coalition raids cut water to ISIS Syria bastion
A pipeline running along the Old Bridge into Raqa – the only way residents could get water – is destroyed by overnight air strikes
ISIS tightens grip in Syria bastion Raqa as assault nears
Residents say jihadists are trying to tighten their grip on power in Raqa as US backed forces near the Islamic State ISIS group s Syrian bastion
Iraqi forces recapture ancient city of Nimrud
Nimrud which is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site is retaken from the Islamic State
Battle for ISIS-held Mosul nears ancient site
Troops and allied militia are moving forward on two villages close to ancient Nimrud
Coalition strike 'kills 20 civilians' near ISIS-held Raqa
The Syrian Democratic Forces the militia alliance that Washington is supporting in the assault denies the civilian deaths
US-backed forces launch assault on Syrian ISIS 'capital'
The operation to liberate Raqa dubbed Wrath of the Euphrates involves some 30 000 fighters
Russia denies role in bloody strike on Syria school
UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon demands an immediate probe into the October 26 attack on the school in rebel held Idlib province that he says may amount to a war crime
Syria army thrusts into ISIS bastion province Raqa
UPDATED The troops advance towards the country s largest dam for the first time since 2014
ISIS threatens US, tries to rally support in new audio message
The audio recording reportedly featuring ISIS spokesman Abu Mohamed al Adnani is posted online late Saturday evening after much fanfare by ISIS supporters on Twitter
Poe case, Obama in Manila, France vs ISIS | 6PM wRap
Watch the 6PM edition of Rappler s newscast The wRap
US steps up anti-ISIS raids, Iran invited to Syria talks
Friday s October 30 talks in Vienna are seen as a way to end Syria s civil war by creating an interim unity regime and paving the way for Syrian President Bashar al Assad s exit
Jordan says pilot murder 'turning point' in IS fight
A minister says air strikes carried out so far by Jordan are the beginning of an ongoing process to eliminate the Islamic State group
Parents of US hostage appeal to Islamic State captors
The Muellers say there s no proof to support the claim that their 26 year old daughter has been killed in Syria
Qaeda unit in Syria border town joins ISIS
After months of clashes between the the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the Al Nusra Front in several parts of Syria Nusra s Albu Kamal branch pledged loyalty to ISIS
Dozens killed in Syria, watchdog to probe chlorine claims
The regime and rebels have blamed each other for using chlorine in at least one attack
Syria rebels lay siege to Qaeda-linked jihadists
Raqa the site of the seige is the latest front in a fight pitting a broad coalition of moderates and Islamists opposed to President Bashar al Assad against the Al Qaeda linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Syria jets pound city captured by rebels
The rebels are believed to be holding the provincial governor whom they captured during the battle inside the building which has now become their headquarters the Britain based Observatory said
At least 30 dead in 'air strike' on Syria fuel station
At least 30 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in an explosion at a petrol station in Syria which activists said was an air strike
