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Claims by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces militia that it had fully captured the Old City of Raqqa from ISIL were questioned by groups monitoring the Syrian conflict on Saturday. The National reported.

The SDF said on Friday they had taken full control of the Old City and that 65 per cent of Raqqa - the self-declared capital of the extremist group - was held by the rebel alliance.

But the US military, which provides extensive assistance to the SDF, could not confirm if the Old City had fallen completely.

“The SDF are making great progress around the city centre and throughout Raqqa and gain more ground every day,” said Col Ryan Dillon, the spokesman for US-led coalition fighting ISIL in Iraq and Syria. “The SDF are the best source for operational updates on their progress in the fight to defeat ISIS in Raqqa.”

It is noted that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict, said on Saturday that clashes continued in the Old City, centered around the Bosaria neighbourhood. It also reported ongoing fighting across the city.