Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces are moving closer to the gates of Raqqa, Daesh's de-facto capital in Syria, reports say, according to the Independent.

The armed groups, made up mostly of Kurds from the YPG and YPJ fighting units, along with Arabs and Christians, are now 20 miles from Raqqa, Sky News reports.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been celebrating a string of victories as they reclaim villages from Daesh control.

In the hopes of retaking communities from Isis those suspected of being Isis militants are arrested and men are often taken aside for questioning.

With the help of coalition air strikes, the soldiers advanced from al-Shaddadi to link up with a second group from the SDF, who were attacking from Saluk, near the Turkish border.

The move cut off nearly 4,000 square miles of Daesh land.

Rizgar Serekani, an SDF commander, told Sky News: "We're trying to create a barrier between here and Raqqa, to stop Daesh movement and clear the area of all Daesh."

Source: MENA