Hand-to-hand fighting between SDF and ISIS in Tabqa

YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces continue to tighten the siege they have laid around ISIS in Tabqa town of Raqqa province.

ISIS gangs attempted to conduct suicide attacks amid their continued artillery attacks at around 05:00 Sunday morning in an effort to break the siege by taking advantage of the visibility distance that decreased to 5 meters due to desert storm and bad weather. SDF fighters still responded to the attacks harshly.

Fierce clashes took place at and around SDF positions in the villages of Ayed al-Kabeer and Jabal Abû-Jabir south of the city, Military Airport and Icêl village southwest of the city, and Ibad and al-Xashab villages east of the city.

SDF forces blocked the gangs and did not allow them to break the siege. Hand-to-hand fighting took place in several locations and dozens of ISIS members were killed during clashes, while many more were wounded.

Suffering a heavy blow in the hands of the SDF, ISIS gangs attempted to reinforce units and ammunition to the southern side of the city. A vehicle transporting ammunition to the gangs was destroyed and two others were damaged near the Ayed al-Kabeer village. Another vehicle of the gangs was destroyed as a mine planted by SDF was detonated.

On the other hand, one gang leader and a few others near him were killed during the fighting near Ayed al-Kabeer village. After repelling the attack, SDF fighters captured munitions and a corpse of the gangs.

Meanwhile, SDF fighters also repelled the ISIS attack on Ibad village east of Tabqa. One ISIS member was killed and one vehicle of the gangs was seized here.

The ISIS groups approaching the al-Xashab village east of the city suffered a heavy blow following the strike of coalition aircraft.

One SDF fighter fell a martyr and two others were wounded during clashes so far. SDF forces have repelled all the intensified attacks launched by ISIS on 10 locations as sporadic fighting continues.