BEIRUT: Islamic State (IS) militants are stiffening their defences for a possible assault on their de facto capital of Raqqa, as international air strikes intensify on the Syrian city in retaliation for the Paris attacks.
IS fighters are hiding in civilian neighbourhoods and preventing anyone from fleeing, former residents say. Raqqa's estimated 350,000 people are worried they would be trapped amid signs of a looming ground invasion by USallied Kurdish and Arab forces in Syria, according to the former residents who have fled to Turkey and now report on events in Raqqa through acquaintances inside.
The activists say the militants have been stepping up defenses since late October. Shortly afterward, IS banned people from leaving the city and activists said it has stepped up enforcement of the ban leading to fears the group intends to use civilians as human shields in future fighting
IS fighters are hiding in civilian neighbourhoods and preventing anyone from fleeing, former residents say. Raqqa's estimated 350,000 people are worried they would be trapped amid signs of a looming ground invasion by USallied Kurdish and Arab forces in Syria, according to the former residents who have fled to Turkey and now report on events in Raqqa through acquaintances inside.
The activists say the militants have been stepping up defenses since late October. Shortly afterward, IS banned people from leaving the city and activists said it has stepped up enforcement of the ban leading to fears the group intends to use civilians as human shields in future fighting
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