US-backed forces seize second Raqqa district from Islamic State

US-backed forces have seized a western district of Raqqa, Islamic State's stronghold in Syria, following two days of fighting.

In a statement, Syrian Democratic Forces said their fighters had "liberated the neighbourhood of al Romaniya on the western front of Raqqa, after two days of continued clashes".

It follows the capture of an eastern part of the city two days ago.

Islamic State has held Raqqa since 2014 - and the city is considered the group's 'capital'.

The fighting - backed by bombing from the US-led coalition - left at least 12 IS jihadists dead in al Romaniya, the SDF said.

Image:Female members of the Syrian Democratic Forces stand just outside of Raqqa ahead of their advance on the city

The alliance captured the eastern neighbourhood of al Mishlab within a day of first entering Raqqa.

The SDF, a group of Kurdish and Arab militias supported aerially from allies including the UK, spent seven months surrounding the city before finally entering it last Tuesday.

The coalition believes the city in central northern Syria is defended by 3,000 to 4,000 jihadists.

Fighters from the US-backed alliance, meanwhile, continued to battle to dislodge jihadists from a key military base north of Raqqa.