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Raqqa to be part of decentralized Syria, U.S.-backed SDF says

A fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces walks towards a clock tower in Raqqa, Syria October 18, 2017. Picture taken October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
A fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces walks towards a clock tower in Raqqa, Syria October 18, 2017. Picture taken October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Thomson Reuters

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian city of Raqqa and surrounding province will be part of a decentralized federal Syria, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia that captured the city from Islamic State (IS) said on Friday.

"We pledge to protect the borders of the province against all external threats, and we confirm that the future of Raqqa province will be determined by its people within the framework of a decentralized, federal democratic Syria in which the people of the province will run their own affairs," the SDF said in a statement formally declaring Raqqa's capture from IS.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Catherine Evans)

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