Warplanes Reportedly Targeting ISIL Stronghold of Raqqa in Syria

US-led coalition warplanes are delivering strikes on the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of Islamic State.

MOSCOW, February 6 (Sputnik) — US-led coalition warplanes are targeting Islamic State's de facto capital of Raqqa, a Syrian city 100 miles east of Aleppo, local media reported Friday.

“Warplanes target #Mansora City in the countryside of #Raqqa #Syria,” a group of Raqqa activists wrote in their Twitter, adding that drones were also spotted in the sky above the city.

#Raqqa warplanes are flying in the sky of #Maddan in the east countryside of #Raqqa #Syria

— الرقة تذبح بصمت (@Raqqa_Sl) 6 февраля 2015

The group posted photos for the smoke from "the airstrike by Coalition warplanes."

#Raqqa photos for the smoke from the airstrike by Coalition warplanes #Syria #ISIS pic.twitter.com/zroOK1UM0I

— الرقة تذبح بصمت (@Raqqa_Sl) 6 февраля 2015

Eight major explosions were heard in Raqqa and its suburbs, the group added.

Islamic State is a jihadist group that has taken areas of Iraq and Syria under its control. Currently a United States–led coalition is carrying out airstrikes against the militants' targets to limit the terrorist group ability to advance further.