Battle For The Syrian City of Raqqa -- News Updates October 11, 2017

Reuters: Islamic State to fight 'till the end' in Raqqa: U.S. coalition spokesman

KOBANI, Syria (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters in the Syrian city of Raqqa are expected to fight to the death, but some local militants have surrendered recently as U.S.-backed forces close in on their last strongholds, a U.S. coalition spokesman said on Wednesday.

Colonel Ryan Dillon said officials in the Raqqa Civil Council, which is to govern the city after IS has been driven out, were working to negotiate the safe passage of thousands of civilians being held hostage.

But the coalition would not support any negotiated withdrawal of fighters, he said.

“The coalition would not be party to a negotiated settlement. (But) we’re jumping ahead of anything that’s being discussed right now ... as (the council) try to get civilians out,” he told Reuters by phone.

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large;">Battle For The Syrian City of Raqqa -- News Updates October 11, 2017
U.S. rules out negotiated ISIS withdrawal from Syria’s Raqqa -- USA Today/AP
As US-backed forces close in on ISIS capital Raqqa, stench of death is everywhere -- CBS News
On the ground in Raqqa, capital of Islamic State's caliphate -- The Jerusalem Post
With IS surrounded, talks held on civilian exit from Raqqa -- The Times of Israel
Raqqa civilians held by ISIL as 'human shields', coalition warns -- The National
Battle against Islamic State for Raqqa nears end -- Express Newsline
Raqqa: a journey into the destroyed heart of the Islamic State capital -- The Guardian
Photos of Raqqa, Syria: US Backed Forces Close In On ISIS -- International Business Times

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