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US-backed forces have retaken half of Raqqa from ISIS - Here's what the fighting on the ground looks like

US-backed forces have retaken half of Raqqa from ISIS - Here's what the fighting on the ground looks like

It's estimated that 20,000-50,000 civilians are still trapped in the city, with coalition forces having it completely surrounded. A child who was also able to escape Raqqa is seen below with his cat in a refugee camp in northeast Syria.

US-backed forces have retaken half of Raqqa from ISIS - Here's what the fighting on the ground looks like

The battle has also taken its toll on the civilian population, even after three years of ISIS rule. These are children in a refugee camp in northeast Syria who were able to escape Raqqa.

The battle has also taken its toll on the civilian population, even after three years of ISIS rule. These are children in a refugee camp in northeast Syria who were able to escape Raqqa.

Not to mention those in the fight, like this SDF fighter photographed crying over a fellow soldier being shot and wounded by an ISIS sniper.

Not to mention those in the fight, like this SDF fighter photographed crying over a fellow soldier being shot and wounded by an ISIS sniper.

The war has certainly taken its toll on the Kurdish population. Below two Kurds pray over their relative's grave who was killed in Raqqa.

The war has certainly taken its toll on the Kurdish population. Below two Kurds pray over their relative

An SDF sniper scans the road below as he lays in an elevated position.

An SDF sniper scans the road below as he lays in an elevated position.

SDF fighters sometimes pass through buildings to hide from ISIS sniper fire. ISIS has snipers "everywhere," according to Alice Martins of the Washington Post, slowing the SDF's progress.

SDF fighters sometimes pass through buildings to hide from ISIS sniper fire. ISIS has snipers "everywhere," according to Alice Martins of the Washington Post, slowing the SDF

And this is Taylor Hudson, a 33-year old SDF volunteer from California, giving an interview to Associated Press. These three volunteers are just a few of many westerners who have volunteered to fight against ISIS.

And this is Taylor Hudson, a 33-year old SDF volunteer from California, giving an interview to Associated Press. These three volunteers are just a few of many westerners who have volunteered to fight against ISIS.

Here is another SDF volunteer, 30-year-old Macer Gifford from London, who can be seen running to avoid ISIS sniper fire.

Here is another SDF volunteer, 30-year-old Macer Gifford from London, who can be seen running to avoid ISIS sniper fire.

But US troops aren't the only westerners helping in the fight against ISIS in Syria. This is 28-year-old Kevin Howard, a former military contractor from California and SDF volunteer currently in Raqqa.

But US troops aren

There are also about 1,000 US troops in Syria advising and backing up SDF forces. Below is a US soldier standing next to Syrian children on a road outside of Raqqa.

There are also about 1,000 US troops in Syria advising and backing up SDF forces. Below is a US soldier standing next to Syrian children on a road outside of Raqqa.

Here is a coalition helicopter firing a missile at ISIS positions.

Here is a coalition helicopter firing a missile at ISIS positions.

Coalition airstrikes have greatly helped SDF forces. But they have also killed at least 2,000 civilians in Iraq and Syria since President Trump took office, according to the monitoring group Airwars, which is about how many were killed throughout Obama's presidency.

Coalition airstrikes have greatly helped SDF forces. But they have also killed at least 2,000 civilians in Iraq and Syria since President Trump took office, according to the monitoring group Airwars, which is about how many were killed throughout Obama

"Huge amounts of explosives" have also been planted by ISIS, which have slowed SDF's advance, AP said. An SDF fighter is seen here defusing an ISIS bomb.

"Huge amounts of explosives" have also been planted by ISIS, which have slowed SDF

But SDF progress has been slowed by enemy snipers, as well as ISIS' continued reliance on suicide attacks and even using civilians as human shields. A Kurdish fighter is seen here firing at ISIS militants as he runs across a street.

But SDF progress has been slowed by enemy snipers, as well as ISIS

They shot dozens of mortars at ISIS militants on Thursday as they continue to make gains in the city. Coalition fighters have attacked ISIS from the east and west, and are about 800 meters away from linking up, according to AP.

They shot dozens of mortars at ISIS militants on Thursday as they continue to make gains in the city. Coalition fighters have attacked ISIS from the east and west, and are about 800 meters away from linking up, according to AP.

The SDF began its assault on Raqqa early last month and have made steady progress since.

The SDF began its assault on Raqqa early last month and have made steady progress since.

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