The Syrian Defence Force continues to advance, retaking Raqqa from the Islamic State.
The center of the city is surrounded, but the leader of Kurdish support troops says he expects a long slow battle to finally retake the entire city, similar to the work against the Islamic State in Mosul Iraq.
U.S. Army Colonel Ryan S. Dillon of Operation Inherent Resolve confirmed that progress is being made.
IN: "The SDF...
OUT: ...SDF advance."
DUR: 30
Meanwhile, over 700 have died as the Philippine Army tried to retake the city of Marawi from a group associated with the Islamic State.
U.S. Army Colonel Ryan S. Dillon of Operation Inherent Resolve says it's become much harder for the Islamic State to plan and carry out terrorist attacks in other parts of the world.
IN: "We know...
OUT: ...and Syria."
DUR: 27
***