Under the black flag of al-Qaeda, the Syrian city ruled by gangs of extremists
The black flag of al-Qaeda flies high over Raqqa’s main square in front of the
smart new governor’s palace, its former occupant last seen in their prison.
Their fighters, clad also in black, patrol the streets, or set up positions
behind sandbags.
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Fighters from Jabhat al-Nusrah, the al-Qaeda affiliated group, are said to control Raqqa's streetsPhoto: David Rose
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Amar Abu Yasser, deputy head of the Farouq Brigade in Raqqah, in his headquartersPhoto: David Rose for the Telegraph