DAMASCUS, SYRIA (10:00 P.M.) – On Wednesday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cleared the last jihadist sniper nests and hideouts in the northern section of Tabqa, effectively bringing the entire city under its control.
Two days ago, some 90% of the city was under SDF control with ISIS clinging onto three northern neighborhoods and a small pocket around Tabqa dam.
With Kurdish sappers and checkpoints all over the city, clashes continued northeast of Tabqa in the Wahdah district, neighboring Tabqa dam.
Only a few dozen ISIS militants are left in this isolated area, sources inform Al-Masdar News.
In the eleventh hour, ISIS militants launched a desperate breakout attempt that was conducted on Tuesday in a bid to reach Raqqa city. However, entrenched Kurdish forces held their ground in the village of Abbad, stating they were expecting the attack.
Sporadic clashes continued into the evening while the entire western Raqqa region is expected to fall into Kurdish hands, thereby enabling US-backed allies to begin their highly anticipated offensive towards the provincial capital, the self-proclaimed ISIS capital.
During the battle for Tabqa, the SDF sustained some 450 casualties according to Amaq Agency. On the other hand, Kurdish forces eliminated over 400 ISIS militants while dozens more surrendered, according to the SDF.
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