DAMASCUS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 fighters with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed Friday by an Islamic State (IS) suicide bombing in Syria's northern city of Raqqa, pro-government Sham FM radio reported.
The IS suicide bomber targeted a position of the SDF in the Mashlab neighborhood east of Raqqa.
The SDF stormed Mashlab, after their offensive to capture the city form IS started on Tuesday.
The SDF said they captured the majority of Mashlab and also stormed parts of neighborhoods on the western rim of Raqqa amid heavy U.S. strikes backing the SDF in their push to take the city.
The SDF, comprised of Kurds, Arab and Assyrians, stressed their resolve to defeat IS in Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group.
Activists flaring battles in that part of the country, amid reports that IS has failed to recruit more men to join the battles to defend Raqqa from the SDF attack.
