US-backed forces have retaken half of Raqqa from ISIS — Here's what the fighting on the ground looks like

US-backed forces in Syria announced Thursday that they have captured nearly half of ISIS' de facto capital of Raqqa, Associated Press reported. 

The Syrian Democratic Forces — largely made up of Kurdish, Sunni and Christian fighters — began their assault on Raqqa on June 6, and have since taken about 45% of the city, according to Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve.

Still, US-backed forces have faced “stiff, sporadic resistance” resistance from ISIS militants, Dillon said. 

Here's what the fighting on the ground looks like.

The SDF began its assault on Raqqa early last month and have made steady progress since.

They shot dozens of mortars at ISIS militants on Thursday as they continue to make gains in the city. Coalition fighters have attacked ISIS from the east and west, and are about 800 meters away from linking up, according to AP.

But SDF progress has been slowed by enemy snipers, as well as ISIS' continued reliance on suicide attacks and even using civilians as human shields. A Kurdish fighter is seen here firing at ISIS militants as he runs across a street.