RSS Feed
March 23rd, 2017 
Awake Goy 
nsnbc : Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) backed by U.S. forces launched a multi-pronged offensive behind enemy lines to seize the strategically important Tabqah Dam across the Euphrates River from the Islamic State. SDF fighters, U.S. Marine Artillery, Apache helicopters and U.S. Special Forces participated in the operation that saw fighters inserted near Tabqah.
Tabqar Dam. Photo courtest Mohamed7799 CC 4.0
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) consist primarily of Syrian – Kurdish YPG fighters. Besides them there are components of Arab groups including former units of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) who deserted, and other ethnic and regional militia. U.S. Marines were deployed to the region in early March 2017. The US-led coalition issued a statement saying:
“The Coalition supported this offensive with air movement and logistical support, precision airstrikes, Apache helicopters in close air support, Marine artillery, and special operations advice and assistance to SDF leadership. … Over the last four months, the Coalition has conducted more than 300 airstrikes around Tabqah and near Raqqa that have killed hundreds of enemy fighters, destroyed more than 200 fortifications, and more than 50 ISIS vehicles. .. It takes a special breed of warrior to pull off an airborne operation or air assault behind enemy lines,” said Col. Joe Scirocco of the coalition against ISIS. “There is nothing easy about this – it takes audacity and courage. And the SDF has that in spades.”
Seizing the Tabqah Dam will isolate Raqqa from three sides and give the strategic advantage to the SDF when the final push for the liberation of Raqqa comes. The area is also critical for ISIS’s capacity to bring logistic supplies and reserves to Raqqa. The Dam is also a high-value target because exploding it could have catastrophic results downstream. The Tabqah Dam has been used as an ISIS headquarters, a prison for high-profile hostages, a training location, and for external terror plotting since ISIS took control of the location in 2013.
CH/L – nsnbc 23.03.2017
Source Article from https://nsnbc.me/2017/03/23/us-backed-syrian-democratic-forces-launched-special-operation-to-seize-tabqah-dam-from-isis/
Views: 0
Posted in 
