Syrian force says it has enough fighters to take Raqqa from IS

Syrian Democratic Forces fighters hold up their weapons in the north of Raqqa city, Syria. REUTERS/Rodi Said

BEIRUT/MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Syrian militias said on Friday they were strong enough to seize Raqqa from Islamic State with support from the U.S.-led coalition, underlining their opposition to any Turkish role in the planned attack.

The campaign against the city, Islamic State's Syrian base of operations, is gathering pace as Iraqi forces press ahead with their efforts to recapture Mosul, the jihadists' base in Iraq. The overlapping U.S.-backed campaigns threaten to deal Islamic State (IS) a double blow.