Raqqa (Syria): Dreaded terror group Islamic State appears to be on the verge of being defeated in its stronghold of Syria as the army has crossed the boundary to Raqqa province and is offensive against Islamic State.
The government has had no presence in Raqqa since August 2014, when IS captured the Tabqa air base and killed scores of captured Syrian soldiers.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Syrian troops reached the "administrative border" of Raqqa province under the cover of Russian airstrikes.
The media arm of Lebanon's Hezbollah group, which is fighting alongside government forces, says Syrian troops reached the border of Raqqa province Saturday after advancing about six kilometers (4 miles) in the past hours.
Syrian troops launched an offensive toward the province on Wednesday.
IS is based in the provincial capital, also called Raqqa.
If the army succeeds, the IS will be besieged by the Syrian army in the south and southwestern parts of Aleppo, while the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rebels will be besieging the terror group from the west.
A day in ISIS controlled city Raqqa:
An activist living under most dreaded terror organisation 'ISIS' occupied city Raqqa located in Syria has described the life of a common man.
His story was read by an actor in order to protect his identity.
In January 2014, the jihadist group set up their capital in Raqqa in east of the country.
He described on the BBC's today programme, that the so-called jihadist group is taking faster steps to spread brutality in the city. Most people are not even allowed to stand in the areas of Raqqa city.
Anyone found gathering in public without permission is accused of plotting against 'Daesh'.
"I'm crossing a crowd in a public square, I don't want to join them because they may have been told to watch a beheading - but thank god it's only a lashing this time,'' the activist added.
Loud speakers can be heard announcing the executions of people:
"I heard loud speakers in the streets saying some people were about to be executed.
"A group of blindfolded young men stood in handcuffs. In front of them a masked man began reading.
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"Hassan, fighting with regime forces, his punishment: beheading. Reza was a media activist, accused of speaking to foreign parties, his punishment: beheading.
"A man with a sword carried out the punishment," activist added.
Let's have a look at the ordeals of people residing in the once peaceful city of Raqqa.
Education
Children are deprived of getting basic education under ISIS regime. In spite of having books in their hands, the children are being taught with guns and bombs to motivate them to become the best militants of Islamic State.
Media
Last month, ISIS militants threw television sets out of people's homes in an attempt to crackdown foreign news. There is a single radio station in Mosul called 'Bayan'.
Entertainment
Under the regime of ISIS, smoking cigarettes and waterpipes are strictly banned and playing music has been declared unlawful.
Religion
Raqqa was never a highly religious city till ISIS arrived. However not praying is punishable by ISIS, now. The group has also banned taxi drivers from working during prayers times.
(With inputs from agencies)
