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Photos: Syrian fighters in Raqqa brace for final showdown with ISIS

In a gutted four-storey building turned into a frontline fortress overlooking one of the last ISIS strongholds in Raqqa, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces anticipate ISIS fighters to make a last stand for this stronghold of the self-proclaimed caliphate, that served as their de-facto Syrian capital since 2014.

Updated on: Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM IST

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Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), take position inside a building on the eastern frontline of Raqqa. With about 90% recaptured, US-backed fighters in northern Syria are preparing for a final offensive on pockets still held by the Islamic State, Mustafa Bali of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces told AP on Monday. Brett McGurk, the top U.S. envoy for the anti-Islamic State coalition also affirmed that the battle for Raqqa is now approaching its last phase. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), take position inside a building on the eastern frontline of Raqqa. With about 90% recaptured, US-backed fighters in northern Syria are preparing for a final offensive on pockets still held by the Islamic State, Mustafa Bali of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces told AP on Monday. Brett McGurk, the top U.S. envoy for the anti-Islamic State coalition also affirmed that the battle for Raqqa is now approaching its last phase. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

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The Raqqa National Hospital, the last ISIS stronghold is pictured from a hole at the positions of the SDF at the frontline in Raqqa. In a gutted four-storey building turned into a fortress, Babel (his nom de guerre) and fellow SDF fighters can peer out at Islamic State positions just 150 metres away. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

The Raqqa National Hospital, the last ISIS stronghold is pictured from a hole at the positions of the SDF at the frontline in Raqqa. In a gutted four-storey building turned into a fortress, Babel (his nom de guerre) and fellow SDF fighters can peer out at Islamic State positions just 150 metres away. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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A uniform of a member of Islamic State militants is pictured as it was displayed by the Syrian Democratic forces at their positions inside a building at the frontline in Raqqa. Intense fighting since June and heavy US bombardment have left ISIS holed up with commanders saying the hospital and Al-Aswad Football Stadium, said to contain civilian hostages, will be where ISIS make their last stand. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

A uniform of a member of Islamic State militants is pictured as it was displayed by the Syrian Democratic forces at their positions inside a building at the frontline in Raqqa. Intense fighting since June and heavy US bombardment have left ISIS holed up with commanders saying the hospital and Al-Aswad Football Stadium, said to contain civilian hostages, will be where ISIS make their last stand. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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A member of the SDF, monitors ISIS positions on the western frontline in Raqqa. SDF are battling to clear the last remaining holed up jihadists, expected to make a last stand for their self-proclaimed caliphate --now cornered and desperate-- in Raqqa, the city on the Euphrates river that has served as their de-facto Syrian capital since 2014. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

A member of the SDF, monitors ISIS positions on the western frontline in Raqqa. SDF are battling to clear the last remaining holed up jihadists, expected to make a last stand for their self-proclaimed caliphate --now cornered and desperate-- in Raqqa, the city on the Euphrates river that has served as their de-facto Syrian capital since 2014. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

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A member of Syrian Democratic Forces runs for cover from ISIS sniper fire near the stadium in Raqqa. Their use of civilians for cover, tunnels to launch counter attacks, snipers and countless booby traps have slowed SDF advances. Daesh snipers often shoot to wound, not to kill, so they can target whoever comes to save an injured comrade. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

A member of Syrian Democratic Forces runs for cover from ISIS sniper fire near the stadium in Raqqa. Their use of civilians for cover, tunnels to launch counter attacks, snipers and countless booby traps have slowed SDF advances. Daesh snipers often shoot to wound, not to kill, so they can target whoever comes to save an injured comrade. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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A fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces places empty plastic bottles on stairs of a building at their positions, at the frontline in Raqqa to squeak when stepped on and alert them to intruders. SDF fighters are well prepared in case the cornered IS militants attempt a breach. The front porch steps have been demolished, leaving a drop to the basement that can be crossed only by climbing a makeshift ladder, which can be pulled up. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

A fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces places empty plastic bottles on stairs of a building at their positions, at the frontline in Raqqa to squeak when stepped on and alert them to intruders. SDF fighters are well prepared in case the cornered IS militants attempt a breach. The front porch steps have been demolished, leaving a drop to the basement that can be crossed only by climbing a makeshift ladder, which can be pulled up. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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A member of the SDF helps his comrade wash his hair at their position at the frontline in Raqqa. The units are holding strong ahead of an anticipated final push, firing at militants whenever they can spot them. ISIS fighters have been shining spotlights from the hospital towards SDF lines these past few nights, impairing visibility in a bid to buy time. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

A member of the SDF helps his comrade wash his hair at their position at the frontline in Raqqa. The units are holding strong ahead of an anticipated final push, firing at militants whenever they can spot them. ISIS fighters have been shining spotlights from the hospital towards SDF lines these past few nights, impairing visibility in a bid to buy time. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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One shaken SDF fighter in a nearby base last week showed cuts on his face from where a sniper bullet had ricocheted. Sniper fire from ISIS had recently reduced, possibly as a means of conserving ammunition for more intense fighting to come. An SDF field commander said on Sunday assaults were to begin soon as part of a final push against Islamic State, focused initially on surrounding the stadium. The hospital is already encircled. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

One shaken SDF fighter in a nearby base last week showed cuts on his face from where a sniper bullet had ricocheted. Sniper fire from ISIS had recently reduced, possibly as a means of conserving ammunition for more intense fighting to come. An SDF field commander said on Sunday assaults were to begin soon as part of a final push against Islamic State, focused initially on surrounding the stadium. The hospital is already encircled. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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Destroyed buildings are pictured during sunset in Raqqa. Both the US spokesman Dillon and the SDF fighter Babel say that some Islamic State fighters are surrendering. Interrogations of those surrendering reveal ISIS had dug a tunnel between the hospital and stadium. At the front line, morale among SDF fighters remains high. One fighter for instance belted pop music to other units over his walkie talkie. The battle is expected to last between seven to 10 days. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

Updated on Oct 11, 2017 11:23 AM

Destroyed buildings are pictured during sunset in Raqqa. Both the US spokesman Dillon and the SDF fighter Babel say that some Islamic State fighters are surrendering. Interrogations of those surrendering reveal ISIS had dug a tunnel between the hospital and stadium. At the front line, morale among SDF fighters remains high. One fighter for instance belted pop music to other units over his walkie talkie. The battle is expected to last between seven to 10 days. (Erik De Castro / REUTERS)

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