Around 200,000 people have fled the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) stronghold of al-Raqa as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare for an assault on the city, AFP reported Thursday (June 1st).
The displaced population has been moving into camps and built-up settlements nearby, coalition spokesman US Col. Ryan Dillon said.
The Arab-Kurd alliance "have made the decision to ask the civilians to depart, as opposed to staying in al-Raqa", Dillon said.
The SDF is closing in on al-Raqa from the north, west and east, but has not yet battled its way to areas south of the city.
