BREAKING NEWS

ISIS deploys car bombs in new Syria battle

BEIRUT - Islamic State militants have set off five car bombs targeting U.S.-backed Syrian armed groups attacking Raqqa, a Kurdish source said on Monday, saying the fight to drive IS from its stronghold city would "not be easy".
The operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), including the Kurdish YPG militia, that began on Saturday aims to encircle and ultimately capture Raqqa, adding to the pressure on IS as it faces a major assault in Iraq.
Islamic State has also drawn heavily on suicide car bombs in its efforts to fend off the assault on Mosul by Iraqi forces.
The Kurdish source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S.-led coalition was providing "excellent" air support for the operation dubbed "Euphrates Anger".