When Saada al-Aboud saw Islamic State fighters bringing weaponry into her village near their Syrian bastion of Raqa, she feared she and her family would become human shields for the jihadists. So far, the SDF has advanced to within 36 kilometres of Raqa, seizing a handful of villages from IS control. The fighting has prompted a steady trickle of civilians to flee IS territory, most heading towards Ain Issa, 50 kilometres north of Raqa and a key staging ground for the operation. “When the strikes started, we took off our burqas and said we’re done with you, and we ran away,” she said. SDF fighters stopped the arrivals several kilometres outside Ain Issa, checking identity cards and belongings in a bid to prevent infiltration by IS forces.

Source: Hindustan Times November 08, 2016 17:48 UTC