Britain aiding operation to drive IS from Raqqa

BEIRUT - Britain is providing aerial surveillance to help a newly launched offensive against the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the Islamic State group's self-described caliphate.Defense Secretary Michael Fallon says the Royal Air Force "will support the Raqqa operation as it develops." He said the "sophisticated surveillance effort" would give the coalition a vital edge in Syria.A Syrian Kurdish-led force which is backed by U.S.-led air power announced an operation to retake Raqq