SDF is tightening the siege step by step, and the gangs are trapped inside. They attacked again to break the siege, but they were pushed back and 72 gang members were killed.

At 05.00 yesterday, ISIS gangs carried out simultaneous attacks in Ayid Kebîr and Cub al-Abû Cabir villages to the south of Tabqa, the Military Airport and the surroundings of Icêl village to the southwest and SDF positions in Îbad, Safsafah and Sahil El Xesheb villages to the east with heavy weapons and suicide bombers.

ISIS gangs tried to take advantage of the bad weather in the region and the sand storm that reduced visibility to 5 meters to break the siege, but SDF fighters responded swiftly in all fronts despite the unfavorable conditions.

The fighters cut off the gangs and didn’t allow them to break the siege. There were close clashes in several locations. The clashes started at 05.00 and continued until 22.00 with the gangs suffering heavy blows.

THEY WANT TO ESCAPE THE CITY

To break the siege and take their high ranking gang leaders out of Tabqa, ISIS pushed hard from both inside and outside the siege circle in the south on Ayid Kebîr and Cub al-Abû Cabir villages. With the heavy blows dealt by the fighters, the gangs were weakened and attempted to call for reinforcements from the city center. SDF fighters close to Ayid Kebir hit the vehicles delivering the reinforcements. A vehicle loaded with ammunition was destroyed and 2 military vehicles were damaged. 2 Toyota brand vehicles belonging to the gangs were destroyed by the sabotage action taken by the fighters.

In clashes around Ayid Kebîr and Cub al-Abû Cabir villages, one gang leader and 3 gang members were killed. After the attack was pushed back, the fighters launched a cleanup operation in the region and confiscated 3 bodies, 1 RPG (B-7) and 5 rockets, 3 Kalashnikovs, 2 Raxts, 1 suicide vest and some ammunition.

THE EASTERN FRONT

The gangs attempted to infiltrate Îbad, Safsafah and Sahil al-Xeshab villages to the East of Tabqa but were hit hard by the fighters. 10 gang members were killed in the clashes and 2 vehicles belonging to the gangs were destroyed with mines laid on the road by the fighters. One of their vehicles was confiscated by the fighters.

THE AIRPORT AND THE SURROUNDINGS

The airport to the southwest and the Icel village to the south were targeted by the gangs’ simultaneous attacks. In the intense clashes in this front, 24 gang members, 2 of them “emir” gang leaders, were killed. The bodies of 2 gang leaders and 17 gang members were confiscated by the fighters while the remaining 7 bodies were seen removed from the clash grounds by the gangs. 1 RPG, 1 Turkish made Law gun, 8 Kalashnikovs, 2 BKCs, 2 antiaircraft barrels, 2 grenades, 3 digital correspondence equipment, 1 taxi cab, 1 motorcycle and 3 WAN type (minibus) vehicles were also confiscated by the fighters.

THE WESTERN FRONT

SDF fighters killed 5 gang members trying to infiltrate the positions on the western front and captured one alive. The fighters destroyed 2 vehicles and confiscated 1 RPG (B-7), 5 rockets and 3 Kalashnikovs.

COALITION FORCES CARRIED OUT AN AERIAL ATTACK

The International Coalition forces provided active aerial support to the SDF fighters’ resistance on the ground throughout the day. 7 aerial attacks were carried out on various gang positions in the city by the Coalition forces. 30 gang members were killed in the bombing and a DHSK mounted vehicle, an armored Hummer and a WANN type vehicle were destroyed.

2 FIGHTERS MARTYRED

2 SDF fighters who took part in breaking the most extensive gang attack in the Tabqa operation were martyred in the clashes and 4 SDF fighters were wounded.

After breaking the extensive gang attacks, SDF fighters continue their advance towards Tabqa city center.