Raqa offensive aims to deal `decisive blow` to IS: Coalition

Beirut: The offensive that saw US-backed forces break into the Islamic State group`s Syrian stronghold Raqa on Tuesday aims to deal a "decisive blow" to the jihadists, the US-led anti-IS coalition said.

Warning that the fight will be "long and difficult", coalition commander Lieutenant General Steve Townsend said the fight for Raqa would "deliver a decisive blow to the idea of ISIS as a physical caliphate".