DHAKA: Syrian troops have crossed into Raqqa province, nearing the capital of so-called Islamic State (IS), activists say.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy Russian air strikes had helped the offensive. There is no Syrian or Russian confirmation, reports the BBC.

A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters started a campaign in May to expel IS militants from land north of Raqqa.

IS seized the city in 2013 from rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad.

The jihadist group quickly established its headquarters there and began imposing its vision of a state, implementing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

It proclaimed a ‘caliphate’ in 2014.

The Syrian Observatory said there had been clashes with IS militants on the Athria-Tabqa road as the Syrian troops moved from Hama province in the south-west.

The Syrian military were trying to reach Lake Assad and the main road linking Raqqa to Aleppo.

BDST: 2152 HRS, JUNE 04, 2016
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