issa syria/beirut u.s.-backed militias launch final assault syria raqqa sunday let convoy islamic state fighters families quit city leave hardcore jihadists mount last stand battle continue whole city clean say statement syrian democratic force sdf u.s.-backed alliance kurdish arab militias sdf spokesman talal selo tell reuters 200-300 foreign militants remain fight city convoy leave final battle say withdrawal deal islamic state tribal elders jihadists would let civilians trap raqqa safe passage city say selo add believe may remain raqqa fall sdf look imminent four months battle hem islamic state jihadists small bomb-cratered patch city still expect difficult fight say colonel ryan dillon spokesman u.s.-led international coalition back sdf war islamic state air strike special force coalition continue operate basis civilians remain raqqa say raqqa first big syrian city islamic state seize declare caliphate rampage syria iraq 2014 become operations center attack abroad stage dark atrocities islamic state retreat two years lose swathe territory countries force back ever-diminishing foothold along euphrates river valley last night final batch fighters agree leave leave city say mostafa bali another sdf spokesman conflict account many people leave convoy selo say 275 syrian militants leave along family members laila mostafa head raqqa civil council form sdf auspices oversee city say figure include fighters family members statement deny early comment another council member foreign fighters leave convoy evacuation coalition estimate 300-400 fighters still hole islamic state enclave fighters leave convoy coalition track give biometric data include fingerprint dillon say convoy still territory hold sdf sunday morning selo say bali describe civilians leave islamic state fighters convoy human shield jihadists refuse release leave city agree want take far destination guarantee safety say withdrawals fighters along group civilians grow commonplace syria six-year war way besiege force accelerate fall populate areas convoy would head remain islamic state territory eastern syria omar alloush raqqa civil council say saturday agreement broke council tribal elders minimize civilian casualties coalition say tribal leaders raqqa say seek prevent bloodshed among civilians still trap city civilians remain enclave would families foreigners civilians exit completely selo say sunday sdf decision hasten battle end allow islamic state fighters leave raqqa odds state wish u.s.-led coalition back militias dillon say involve evacuation add may always fully agree partner time respect solutions august coalition spend weeks prevent convoy islamic state evacuees enclave syrian-lebanon border reach jihadist territory eastern syria sdf launch battle raqqa june months-long campaign isolate city north bank euphrates islamic state know islamic state iraq levant capture city january 2014 seize rebel factions oust syrian army months early group become entrench syria iraq lead capture mosul june year raqqa become important center celebrate series victories massive parade city many top leaders time base former hostages say mohammed emwazi good know jihadi john imprison along late execute build near oil installation near city group kill dozens capture syrian soldier july 2014 also site slave market yazidi women capture iraq give fighters coalition say raqqa hub attack abroad november 2015 militants kill 130 people paris france launch air strike islamic state target inside raqqa group disarray syria face u.s.-backed sdf offensive rival one syrian army support russia iran ally shi ite militias syrian military source say saturday army capture city al-mayadin euphrates valley leave islamic state towns villages surround desert territory syria battle raqqa come great cost people intense coalition air strike months street-to-street fight pulverize much city thousands people flee refugees hundreds civilians die final assault start syria 's raqqa islamic state fighters quit