Formal victory over IS declared in Raqqa after forces clear out all pockets of militants

By ZEINA KARAM
BEIRUT — A U.S.-backed Syrian force declared victory over the Islamic State group in its former “capital” of Raqqa on Friday, declaring the northern Syrian city free of any extremist presence after a four-month battle that left it in ruins.
At a press conference held inside the city Friday, the Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces formally handed over administration of the devastated northern city to a council made up of local officials and tri