Syrian government forces seize control of key Tabqa dam

Syrian Government Seizes Key Infrastructure in Raqqa Province

The Syrian government has taken control of the strategic city of Tabqa and its military airport on the Euphrates River, according to state media. The development marks an expansion of a rapid offensive in Raqqa province, with information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa confirming that government forces had secured the city and nearby Euphrates Dam after expelling fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The Syrian government has also condemned alleged executions of prisoners and detainees in Tabqa by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and PKK-affiliated groups. In a statement, Damascus described the killings as “a fully-fledged crime under the Geneva Conventions” and a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Reports from Aleppo indicate that the pace of fighting in northern Syria has accelerated sharply, with Syrian government troops shifting operations towards Raqqa. Clashes for neighborhoods in Aleppo took place less than two weeks ago, while other SDF strongholds have returned to government control within the past 24 hours.

Syrian forces have redirected their military focus from Aleppo province towards Raqqa, advancing into territory held by the SDF. The military is moving quickly through Arab-majority towns where support for the Kurdish-led SDF has been limited. Videos circulating online showed SDF units evacuating a military hospital, while fighting intensified near the city’s southern entrance.

The SDF has faced significant pressure, with reports of a massive pincer movement stretching across Aleppo and Raqqa provinces forcing retreats that appear increasingly defensive. The city of Raqqa was previously the self-declared capital of ISIL (ISIS) from January 2014 until its liberation in October 2017 by the US-backed SDF.

The Syrian government has also reported taking control of the Mansoura Dam and several nearby towns, placing them less than 5km from Raqqa’s western gate. The army has said that 64 SDF fighters surrendered in the Mansoura area after being encircled.

Source: Al Jazeera