Steve Inskeep spoke with both of them, and started with a simple question to Ruth. STEVE INSKEEP, BYLINE: Ruth, I'm first curious how exactly one gets into Raqqa, Syria, on your own. How'd you get ...

But the people were known for their hospitality: “In Raqqa, the houses have no doors,” the saying went. Mustafa, a Kurd, describes the city of her childhood as “quiet, simple and beautiful”.

"Raqqa is completely under control," said Cmdr. Lt. Gen. Talal Silo, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are battling the hyper-violent jihadis. He added that they were ...