United States-backed forces said on Tuesday that they had captured Raqa's state hospital, one of the last redoubts of the militant Islamic State group fighters holding out in their onetime Syrian bastion.

“The national hospital was liberated and... 22 foreign mercenaries were killed,” the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said.

“Clashes continue with great intensity near the municipal stadium,” the other main position still in IS hands, it said.

The advance came a day after the SDF took an infamous roundabout used by the militants for public beheadings and crucifixions in Raqa.

The SDF, backed by a US-led coalition, are on the verge of seizing Raqa after having taken around 90 per cent of the group's former de facto Syrian capital.

As of late Monday, only around 300 IS fighters were believed to remain in the devastated city.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.