Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advanced toward the Tabqa Dam after Tabqa Military Airport and are clearing the surrounding villages of ISIS to surround the dam, as clashes continue.

Wrath of Euphrates Operation Room Spokesperson Cîhan Shekh Ahmed made a statement in the Tabqa Military Airport, which was liberated 4 days ago by SDF fighters and where minesweeping efforts continue. Ahmed showed the airport and its surroundings and noted they launched the Tabqa operation on March 21, and the operation forces crossed over to the other side both via air and by crossing the Euphrates river. Ahmed said Tabqa Military Airport has been liberated and the forces have now set their sights on the Tabqa Dam. She stated that the dam is the largest in Syria and provides electricity from Deir ez-Zor to Aleppo.

SDF Spokesperson recalled that they started the operation on two fronts, where fighters have advanced 33 km and that the forces are two villages away from the city center. Ahmed said their forces moved from the Raqqa side to take the dam and added that they acted with care so the dam wouldn’t suffer damages.

Ahmed said they sent units to the dam for this as well but that the ISIS laid landmines on the path of engineers and the gangs attacked with heavy weapons. She said they had to pause the operation on the dam for the last 3 days: “We helped the engineers inspect the dam and we sent them there. We also sent the unit in today, but ISIS gangs attacked the unit and us with mortars. Our operation continues. We will advance until we take the dam and the city.”

SDF Spokesperson added that cutting off the Tabqa-Raqqa road is a strategic step. According to her, ISIS’ routes to Raqqa, Tabqa and Aleppo have been cut off.