SYRIA-CONFLICT-KURDS-RAQA-DEIR EZZOR

A general view shows smoke rising in the distance after fighters from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, fired a mortar launcher from the village of Sabah al-Khayr on the northern outskirts of Deir Ezzor as they drive to encircle the Islamic State (IS) group bastion of Raqa on February 21, 2017.The SDF made a major incursion into the oil-rich province of Deir Ezzor as part of their push for Raqa, field commander Dejwar Khabat said. / AFP / DELIL SOULEIMAN (Photo credit should read DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)