Militants trapped in Raqqa centre but Syrian Kurd commander sees long battle

A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces widens the hole in the wall during the fighting with Islamic State in Al Senaa, a district of Raqqa, Syria, August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

RAQQA, Syria (Reuters) - U.S.-backed forces now have Islamic State fighters surrounded in central Raqqa, a Syrian Kurdish commander said, but he predicted that driving the militants out could take up to four months.

"We've cleared about half of Old Raqqa ... and we're advancing on all axes," said Haval Gabar, the 25-year-old commander from the Kurdish YPG militia who is directing the assault on the Old City front in Islamic State's Syrian stronghold.