YPG-led forces liberate Tabqa airbase from Islamic State
TABQA, Syria (Kurdistan24) - The US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting the Islamic State (IS) in Syria on Sunday announced they took full control of a strategic air base near the town of Tabqa on the Euphrates River.
"When our forces [SDF] liberated the village of al-Ajeel in south of Tabqa today afternoon, they were less than 1km from the Tabqa airbase," the SDF social media reported.
Regarding the casualties, 19 IS insurgents were reportedly killed in al-Ajeel village and 12 of the insurgents' bodies were captured.
In the evening, the SDF advanced towards the airbase where heavy clashes erupted with IS insurgents.
The SDF has not yet stated any further details on the fighting that occurred in the airbase.
The SDF launched an offensive on Tabqa airbase after they liberated the Tabqa dam on Saturday.
On Wednesday, US Army forces helicoptered SDF troops behind IS lines to begin their offensive in the area, 55 kilometers (35 miles) west of Raqqa.
The airbase was the last stronghold for the Syrian army in Raqqa province and in August 2014 it came fully under the control of IS.
Tabqa airbase is the second one held by the SDF after the liberation of Mengh airfield last year in north of Aleppo.
Mengh airbase has became a primary target for both government and opposition forces since 2012. The airbase was under siege by other opposition forces from August 2012 until it fell to al-Nusra Front on Aug. 6, 2013.
Editing by Ava Homa