Heavy smoke billows following an airstrike on the western frontline of Raqa on July 17 during an offensive by the USbacked Syrian Democratic Forces a...
{"Image ImageDescription": "Heavy smoke billows following an airstrike on the western frontline of Raqa on July 17, 2017, during an offensive by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a majority Kurdish and Arab alliance, to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters.\nHeavy bombardment and fierce fighting shook the Islamic State group's Syrian stronghold Raqa, as SDF said they captured a new neighbourhood from entrenched jihadists. Bursts of gunfire and artillery as well as the thud of air strikes conducted by the US-led coalition filled the air in western neighbourhoods of Raqa, on what AFP's correspondent said was the heaviest day of bombardment to date.\n / AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC        (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images)"}