BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:00 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) liberated two villages in the Al-Bab Plateau of east Aleppo today, pushing south towards the Islamic State’s last stronghold in the province.
The liberated villages of Abu Jabbar and Mugharah are both located along the Islamic State’s main supply route to Al-Bab from the Al-Raqqa Governorate.
More importantly, the Syrian Arab Army managed to push south from the key town of Tadef to the Islamic State’s stronghold of Deir Hafer, which is considered the gateway for the government’s desired advance to the Tabaqa Military Airport in west Al-Raqqa.
The liberation of this area is also important because it blocks the Turkish Armed Forces from pushing further south of Al-Bab; this is something the Syrian Arab Army’s High Command has been fearful of.
Currently, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” are attacking the Islamic State’s positions at Tadef; however, no gains have been reported at this axis yet.
