Retaking Raqqa

• Photographer
  Morukc Umnaber
• Prizes
  Bronze in Editorial/Conflict

The campaign launched by SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) to liberate ISIS' capital Raqqa took just over 4 months. ISIS had months to prepare for this defensive fight against SDF. Most of the engagement of SDF had been with IEDs and snipers. Almost everywhere in the city had been mined which forced troops to advance slowly and carefully. Airstrikes of the coalition forces hit ISIS positions intensely during days and nights as well, left them no space to move around in the city.There were dozens of tunnels that ISIS fighters use to change their positions covered.