New satellite imagery from Stratfor appears to reveal the destruction of four Russian attack helicopters and 20 lorries at the Tiyas military airbase after a reported attack which was conducted last week by the ISIL. [https:--www.bbc.com-news-world-middle-east-36368346 (BBC)] U.S. backed Syrian Democratic Forces, led by Kurdish forces, launch an operation to capture Al-Raqqah, the de facto capital of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The force is reported to be more than 50,000 strong. [http:--in.reuters.com-article-mideast-crisis-syria-raqqa-idINKCN0YF2G3 (Reuters)]Northern al-Raqqa offensive (2016)