Syria army advances toward Raqqah Province border

The Syrian army advanced further toward the border of Raqqah Province Friday with government forces currently positioned about 12 km away, a report says.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the government troops are supported by Russian airstrikes in the new offensive which ultimately seeks to liberate the provincial capital, Raqqah, from the control of the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

Raqqah City has been the de facto capital of the terrorist group over the past few years. It is located about 455 km northeast of the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The Russian airstrikes targeted positions held by ISIL in the eastern areas of Hama Province near the provincial boundary with Raqqah. Moscow has been engaged in airstrikes on ISIL positions since late September 2015 upon a request from Damascus.

The Syrian army announced the new offensive Thursday. The operation began with a move for the Athriya area of Hama.

SS