U.S.-backed Syrian fighters on Monday cut the main road between the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, which is controlled by the Islamic State group, and the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, which is partially held by IS, as they press into the extremists' territory in Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said SDF fighters cut the road linking the two cities in the area of Jazra near Raqqa early Monday. SDF spokesman Talal Sillo told The Associated Press that "our forces have cut the main supply line between Raqqa and Deir el-Zour." There are Turkish forces stationed in al-Bab, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Manbij. The Turkish threats prompted the SDF to ask Russia and the Syrian army to establish a buffer between them and the Turkish forces.

Source: ABC News March 06, 2017 10:18 UTC