U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces launch campaign to retake ISIS capital Raqqa

Syrian forces supported by the United States and led by Kurdish fighters reported Sunday they have begun a campaign to retake Raqqa, Syria, the de facto capital city of the Islamic State.

"The general command of the Syria Democratic Forces announces the blessed start of its major military campaign to liberate the city of Raqqa," said Jehan Sheikh Amad, an SDF spokeswoman, at a press conference introducing the operation.

This effort will run in parallel to Iraqi troops' American-supported push to oust ISIS from Mosul, the largest city the terrorist organization still controls in Iraq. The Raqqa operation, called Euphrates Anger, launched with U.S. air support. Civilians still living in Raqqa were encouraged to avoid areas with a heavy ISIS presence.

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