As Syria’s Raqa battle nears end, road to rescue lengthens

RAQA, Syria: ”Don’t close your eyes. Stay awake!” the anti-jihadist Syrian fighter yelled at his injured comrade as a Humvee whisked them across the Islamic State group’s former stronghold Raqa.

With the battle drawing closer to the city center, the distance to the nearest medical facilities is lengthening, making it increasingly difficult to keep injured fighters and civilians alive.