News|ConflictSyrian forces capture Tabqa, nation’s largest dam amid swift push on RaqqaSyria’s army accelerates its campaign, securing key infrastructure and forcing Kurdish-led SDF retreat.
The Syrian army has taken full control of the strategic city of Tabqa and its military airport on the Euphrates River, advancing its operations in Raqqa province. State media confirmed the capture.
The Syrian army has taken full control of the strategic city of Tabqa and its military airport on the Euphrates River, advancing its operations in Raqqa province. State media confirmed the capture.
Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa announced that government forces secured Tabqa and the nearby Euphrates Dam, Syria’s largest, following the expulsion of fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The Syrian government condemned reported executions of prisoners and detainees in Tabqa by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and PKK-affiliated groups. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the European Union, and the United States. Damascus asserted that these acts constitute a violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.
Reports from Aleppo indicate an accelerated pace of military operations in northern Syria, with government forces advancing rapidly towards Raqqa. Recent clashes in Aleppo and other SDF strongholds have resulted in significant territorial gains for Syrian forces.
Syrian forces have redirected their focus from Aleppo to Raqqa, moving swiftly through Arab-majority towns. The SDF is reportedly facing strategic pressure, leading to defensive retreats.
The Syrian army has taken full control of the strategic city of Tabqa and its military airport on the Euphrates River, advancing its operations in Raqqa province.
Infrastructure and Military Developments
Local authorities reported damage to Raqqa’s water supply due to an explosion affecting main pipelines near the old bridge. The Syrian Arab News Agency claimed the SDF was responsible for the bridge explosion.
The Syrian army reported that its troops took control of the Mansoura Dam and surrounding towns, positioning them within 5km of Raqqa’s western entrance. Additionally, 64 SDF fighters reportedly surrendered in the Mansoura area after being encircled.
The army also announced its entry into Tabqa from multiple directions, encircling PKK fighters at the military airport. This advance followed the capture of several villages near al-Rasafa, with demands for the SDF to withdraw east of the Euphrates.
Fighting extended to eastern Deir Az Zor, where tribal forces engaged SDF units. Tribal sources reported seizing multiple positions and called for tribal members within the SDF to disarm. The SDF, in turn, accused government forces of attacking its positions, with artillery targeting areas east of the Euphrates. The Syrian army is sending reinforcements to the province as operations expand.
Developments diverge from the March 10 agreement, which planned a phased withdrawal. However, the rapid advance of Syrian forces has caught the SDF in a challenging position, between a tactical retreat and the agreed phased withdrawal. Both sides are reportedly undermining the agreement, leading to an uncoordinated change in control.
Recent talks between US envoy Tom Barrack and SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi occurred in Erbil, Iraq, with no disclosed outcomes.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
