Thousands of civilians in ISIS-held areas in eastern Raqqa province have been under severe siege as the daily clashes between the radical group and U.S-allied forces mount, activists said.
Muhab Nasser, said thousands of people are stuck in the town of Tabqa. They are trapped within an area of 20 km2, having no way to escape the SDF bombing and the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes that killed hundreds of people in the last months, he added.
No water or power supply is available since 28 days amid lack in medical equipment and basic food staples.
Amaq, ISIS news agency, said 9 fighters had been killed and wounded on Friday in the U.S. airstrikes on al-Hikma village north of Raqqa city.
9 people were also killed in U.S. strikes on Tabqa and Mazraet Mayslaoun towns in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the influx of displaced people has continued toward the northern countryside to escape the fierce fighting and US strikes.
The SDF, an alliance made up of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighting groups, launched the fourth phase of their offensive last Thursday.
The multi-phased campaign by SDF was launched in November and aims ultimately to drive the jihadists from Raqqa, their de facto Syrian capital.
SDF announced on Tuesday the formation of a civilian council to govern Raqqa after their planned capture of the city from ISIS militants.
Reuters reported last month that the political wing of the SDF was helping to install a civilian council to run the eastern Syrian city, ISIS's base of operations in Syria.
The extent of Kurdish control in Raqqa's future is sensitive both for residents and for Ankara, which has fought a three-decade Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey and fears growing YPG ascendancy just over the border in northern Syria, Reuters reported.
The United States says a final decision has yet to be made on how and when Raqqa will be captured. But the SDF is pressing its assault near the city to isolate and ultimately take Raqqa while plans for civilian rule take shape
