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Conflict in Syria

Raqqa in ruins: Dresden-like decimated city picks up the pieces after liberation

Russian Defense Ministry earlier compared US coalition bombing of Raqqa to destruction of Dresden in 1945

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Drone footage shows damaged buildings in Raqqa, Syria, two days after Syrian Democratic Forces said that military operations to oust the Islamic State group have ended and that their fighters have taken full control of the city

© AP Photo/Gabriel Chaim

A view of the Al-Na'im roundabout in central Raqqa, Syria. The roundabout also known as the 'Roundabout of Hell', was used by ISIS extremists to perform public executions, beheadings and crucifixions during their three-year rule of the city

© EPA-EFE/YOUSSEF RABIH YOUSSEF

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces ride near the main traffic circle in Raqqa Syria

© AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih

Damaged buildings near the Al-Na'im roundabout in Raqqa

© EPA-EFE/YOUSSEF RABIH YOUSSEF

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces walk in a stadium that was the site of Islamic State fighters' last stand in the city of Raqqa

© AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih

A members of the Syrian Democratic Forces walk inside a prison built by Islamic State fighters at the stadium in Raqqa

© AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces check for bombs at the stadium in Raqqa

© AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih

Inside the stadium that was the site of Islamic State fighters' last stand in Raqqa

© AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih

A heavily destroyed street in Raqqa

© AP Photo/Gabriel Chaim

A member of Syrian Democratic Forces carries explosives at the stadium in Raqqa

© AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih

The Syrian Democratic Forces coalition announced at a news conference in Raqqa the city was liberated from IS militants on October 20. Russian Defense Ministry compared US coalition bombing of Raqqa to destruction of Dresden in 1945. "Raqqa has repeated the fate of Dresden of 1945, which was erased in the British-American bombarding," spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov said. The offensive in Raqqa with support from the US and the coalition began on June 6. See the images of the devastated city in this photo gallery.

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Syrian conflict

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