The Syrian Democratic Forces, seeking to capture Raqqa city from the Islamic State, positioned themselves around the city as part of the second phase of their regional campaign. However, as part of this, they encountered ISIL forces dug in around the Tabqa Dam, west of Raqqa. Because of the dam's fragility and strategic importance, the SDF could not immediately advance on the dam, and there were concerns it could break and cause flooding.[25][26] ISIL had previously threatened to open the floodgates if the dam was attacked, which would destroy many villages downstream.[27]
Initial assault
In late January 2017, it was reported that a number of ISIL militants were hiding inside the structure of the Tabqa Dam with senior militant leaders–who used to be "very important prisoners" wanted by the US and several other countries–in order to deter a possible CJTF–OIR coalition strike on these targets.[citation needed]
As part of a series of probing attacks in January 2017, US special forces crossed the Euphrates in amphibious raids, including a raid by a combined SDF-U.S. special forces contingent on the Tabqa Dam and the nearby city of al-Thawrah (al-Tabqah).[citation needed] Following the raids, ISIL counterattacked the SDF positions, but the counterattacks were largely repelled.
The offensive
Assault on Tabqa Dam and Tabqa Airbase
SDF fighters near Tabqa Dam
On 22 March, the SDF began an assault to capture the Tabqa Dam, al-Thawrah (al-Tabqah; Tabqa) city, and the Tabqa Airbase. Five hundred SDF fighters[28] and additional US soldiers[14] of the CJTF–OIR were airlifted by US V-22 Osprey helicopters across the Euphrates river and Lake Assad[28] and were dropped on the Shurfa Peninsula to the west of Tabqa city. US air support assets and artillery units from the United States Marines supported the assault.[15][14][29][30] SDF and US forces also landed on the Jazirat al-'Ayd Island (or Peninsula) to the west of Tabqa Dam, capturing it as well.[31] The airlift of forces behind enemy lines was described by Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon as a large high-priority offensive and announced that the advance had cut off the highway linking the Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa Governorates. He added that around 75-80% of the attacking force consisted of Arab fighters, with the rest being Kurds in the YPG and the YPJ. Four towns were also seized as part of the landings and it was believed that the dam and general area were held by hundreds of ISIL fighters, many of them foreign fighters.[32] The SDF stated that the advance was also meant to block any advance on Raqqa by the Syrian Arab Army from the west.[33][34]
On 24 March, SDF spokeswoman Jihan Sheikh Ahmed announced that they had reached the Tabqa Dam and were fighting ISIL at its entrance.[35] The assault on the dam was spearheaded by SDF fighters who were supported by US special forces personnel. It was also reported that the SDF had captured eight villages to the southwest of Tabqa city.[4] ISIL's Amaq News Agency outlet meanwhile claimed the SDF had withdrawn from the dam. Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa claimed online that the SDF had captured the Tabqa Airbase; however, Al-Masdar News stated that the SDF's open room had stated that the claim was completely fabricated.[36]
On 26 March, the SDF captured two villages to the east of Tabqa. It was also reported that ISIL was shelling the surroundings of Tabqa Dam with heavy weaponry.[37][38] On the same day, ISIL claimed that Tabqa Dam was on the verge of collapse and that all the floodgates were closed. The dam was reported to have become inoperable, which ISIL claimed was due to US-led coalition bombing and artillery strikes, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that the actual reasons were unknown, adding that ISIL still held its main building and turbines.[39][40] That day, US aircraft had dropped three 2,000 pound bombs against the towers attached to the dam, causing critical equipment to fail and the dam to stop functioning. One of the bombs failed to detonate. The dam almost failed as the floodgates were rendered inoperable, but an emergency ceasefire coordinated between the Islamic State, Syrian government, and the United States let engineers make emergency repairs before the dam collapsed, which could have potentially killed thousands of civilians.[41]
The SDF however denied that it had been hit, while the RBSS (Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently) group stated that ISIL was informing fleeing civilians that the dam was safe.[42] Additionally, the coalition stated that the Tabqa Dam was structurally sound, and that the dam had not been targeted by any airstrikes. They also stated that the SDF controlled an emergency spillway at the northern part of the dam, which could be used in the event of an emergency.[43] On the same day, SDF spokesman Talal Silo announced that the SDF had stormed the Tabqa military airport, and had taken 60-70% of it.[44] They later announced that they had completely captured the Al-Tabqa Airbase, following a 24-hour battle.[3][45][46] ISIL fighters stationed at Tabqa Airbase were reported to have withdrawn northward to Tabqa city. Additionally, SDF forces captured two villages near the airbase during the advance.[45][47]
ISIL was reported to have reversed an earlier evacuation order in Raqqa, stating that the dam was safe and ordered civilians to remain in the city.[48][49] A day later, however, the SDF announced they were temporarily pausing their offensive for the dam.[50][51][52] Later in the day, a spokeswoman of the SDF announced that engineers who had been permitted to check the dam and its operations did not find it was damaged or malfunctioning.[53] On 28 March, ISIL deployed an additional 900 fighters to the Tabqa District in an attempt to stop the SDF advances.[16]
On 29 March, the SDF cut the road between al-Thawrah (al-Tabqah) city and Raqqa. The SDF stated that ISIL had shelled the Tabqa Dam during the day, causing repair work to be temporarily paused.[54][55] On 31 March, SDF forces attacked the town of al-Safsafah, located east of Tabqa, nearly besieging the city.[56]
The SDF and some activists stated on 2 April that it had repelled a major ISIL counterattack to the northeast of Tabqa city, near the Tabqa Dam, and near the Tabqa airbase. They also continued to advance in villages to the east of Tabqa city.[57] On the same day, it was reported that the SDF had completely besieged Tabqah city, with Kurdish activists stating that two SDF units linked up to the east of the city.[58][59] SOHR, however, stated that they were still trying to besiege the city.[60] SDF fighters continued battling for Safsafah and Ibad on the next day while attempting to fully encircle Tabqa.[61][62] Meanwhile, on 3 April, it was reported that ISIL was possibly in the process of moving its capital from Raqqa city to Mayadin, in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. This followed months of gradual relocation of resources and senior ISIL leaders from Raqqa to Mayadin.[63] The SDF entered and besieged Safsafah on 5 April, thus also besieging Tabqa city while claiming that it had also taken control of a major part of Safsafah.[64] The village was captured by the next day, resulting in the SDF completely encircling Tabqa city.[65][66]
The SDF captured Ibad village, located east of Safsafah, on 9 April, further expanding their control in the eastern countryside of Tabqa, while more than 25 ISIL fighters were killed in the clashes.[67][68] ISIL launched unsuccessful counterattacks on Safsafah,[69] while also attacking Tabqa airbase.[70] The SDF captured another village near Tabqa on the next day.[71]
On 11 April, the US-led coalition reported that the SDF had captured 60% of Tabqa Dam, and that they were "very close" to liberating it.[72][73] On 13 April, the US military stated that CJTF-OIR had bombed an SDF fighting position near Tabqa as it was misidentified as belonging to ISIL. It added that the airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 18 SDF fighters.[74]
Battle for Tabqa city
On 15 April, the SDF advanced within "hundreds of metres" of Tabqa, and fighting reached two suburbs of the city. Later on the same day, the SDF entered the city from the east and the west, capturing the entire Alexandria suburb in the southern sector, bringing 15% of the city under SDF control.[75][76][77] On 17 April, the SDF advanced further, bringing 20% of Tabqa city under their control.[78] On the same day, it was announced that 200 fighters from the Manbij Military Council would participate in this part of the battle, resulting in a total of 350 personnel.[79][9] On 18 April, the SDF captured the ISIL radio station in the city.[80] In the following days, the SDF accelerated their operations in Tabqa and, by 22 April, managed to secure a quarter of the city.[81]
The SDF advanced in Tabqa city again on 30 April, claiming to have captured six more districts, while ISIL only controlled the northern part of the town near Tabqa dam.[82] SOHR stated that the SDF controlled at least 40% of the city by this time, including more than half of the Old City area.[83] Later on the same day, it was reported that the SDF had captured at least 60% of the city.[84] The next day the SDF stated that it had completely captured the Old City, leaving ISIL in control of only the newer areas of the town, alongside the dam. SOHR stated that the SDF controlled about 80% of the city.[85]
On 2 May, the SDF stated that it had captured about 90% of the city[86] amid reports of negotiations between Kurdish fighters and ISIL to allow the latter to withdraw from the remaining areas under its control.[87] By 3 May, the SDF had almost captured the entire city except for a small northern area and district near the dam.[88][89] ISIL also carried out more counterattacks in and near Tabqa.[88][90] It was later reported that a deal had been reached to allow remaining ISIL fighters to withdraw from the city as well as the dam.[89][91] The SDF and its commanders however denied any deal had been reached, adding that clashes were still ongoing against ISIL in a village near Tabqa and the three northern districts of the town, including some militants who were hiding among civilians.[92][93]
Refugees fleeing the clashes in Tabqa
An SDF fighter stands in a destroyed area of Tabqa
Anarchist IRPGF fighters ferrying supplies across Lake Assad
IRPGF fighters inside Tabqa
By 10 May, there were still two ISIL holdouts in the Tabqa area. On one side, 14 Chechen and French African ISIL fighters, members of an elite "ingimassayeen" unit, still held the control room, the floodgates, and a number of tunnels inside Tabqa Dam. Even though they were left without light or fresh air, as the SDF had shut down all electricity to the dam, and without means to communicate with their allies due to the coalition jamming their radio frequencies, these ISIL fighters had resisted attempts to clear them out for weeks. The second, bigger holdout was in northern Tabqa city, where around 50 ISIL militants still defended a number of highly fortified apartments. In the course of 10 May, however, this last resistance was finally broken,[6] when the remaining ISIL defenders surrendered or fled. According to United States Central Command, the Islamists had acceded to the SDF's demand of dismantling the IEDs surrounding the dam. The coalition stated that it tracked those militants who fled and targeted those who could be killed without harming civilians.[94] At 16:00 on that day, SDF commander Rojda Felat stated that the Tabqa Dam had been completely captured by the SDF.[24][95][96] The SDF conducted clearance and de-mining operations after the capture and hunted for any remaining ISIL holdouts.[97] After the battle, thousands of the local Arab population joined the SDF.[28]
Swiss multinational food company Nestle redirects here. For other uses, see Nestle (disambiguation). Nestlé S.A.Nestlé's Headquarters in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland.Formerly List Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company (1866–1867) Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé (1867–1905) Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company (1905–1947) Nestlé Alimentana SA (1947–1977) TypePublic (SA)Traded asSIX: NESNISINCH0038863350IndustryFood processingFounded1866; 157 years ago (1866) (...
Para la junta fundada por Francisco de Miranda, véase Sociedad Patriótica (Venezuela). Junta Patriótica Miembros de la Junta Patriótica: Fabricio Ojeda (URD), Guillermo García Ponce, (PCV). Enrique Aristeguieta Gramcko (Copei) y Silvestre Ortiz Bucaram (AD).Presidente Fabricio OjedaFundación Junio de 1957Disolución Enero de 1958Ideología AntiperezjimenismoCoalición ADCopeiURDPCVPaís VenezuelaEmisora de radio La Voz de la Junta Patriótica[editar datos en Wikidata] La...
Musical tuning based on pure intervals This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. Please help improve it to make it understandable to non-experts, without removing the technical details. (July 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Relevant discussion may...
هذه المقالة تحتاج للمزيد من الوصلات للمقالات الأخرى للمساعدة في ترابط مقالات الموسوعة. فضلًا ساعد في تحسين هذه المقالة بإضافة وصلات إلى المقالات المتعلقة بها الموجودة في النص الحالي. (مارس 2023) هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إ...
City in Sétif Province, AlgeriaSetif سطيفCityDowntown SetifAin El Fouara FountainAl Atiq mosquePark Mall SétifNickname(s): Setif The High سطيف العالي The capital of High Plains عاصمة الهضاب العلياLocation of Setif in the Setif ProvinceSetifLocation in Algeria and AfricaShow map of AlgeriaSetifSetif (Africa)Show map of AfricaCoordinates: 36°11′24″N 5°24′36″E / 36.19000°N 5.41000°E / 36.19000; 5.41000CountryAlgeriaProvinceS
Buraidáبريدة Ciudad BuraidáLocalización de Buraidá en Arabia SauditaCoordenadas 26°20′00″N 43°58′00″E / 26.333333333333, 43.966666666667Entidad Ciudad • País Arabia Saudita • Región CasimSuperficie • Total 1291 km² Población (2010) • Total 467 410 hab. • Densidad 362,05 hab/km² Sitio web oficial [editar datos en Wikidata] Buraydah, Buraidá o Buraidah (en árabe: burayd...
' قرية قتبة - قرية - تقسيم إداري البلد اليمن المحافظة محافظة حضرموت المديرية مديرية القطن العزلة عزلة وادي سر السكان التعداد السكاني 2004 السكان 122 • الذكور 60 • الإناث 62 • عدد الأسر 9 • عدد المساكن 9 معلومات أخرى التوقيت توقيت اليمن (+3 غرينيتش) تعدي
American basketball player and coach (born 1982) For the American football player, see Moe Williams. For the writer, see Mo Willems. Mo WilliamsWilliams with the Clippers in March 2011Jackson State TigersPositionHead coachLeagueSouthwestern Athletic ConferencePersonal informationBorn (1982-12-19) December 19, 1982 (age 40)Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)Listed weight198 lb (90 kg)Career informationHigh schoolMurrah (Jackson, Mississippi)C...
L’année 2019 est une année record pour les aéroports du Royaume qui ont accueilli 25 059 840 passagers, soit une hausse de l’ordre de +11,18% par rapport à l’année 2018 En graphique Pour des raisons techniques, il est temporairement impossible d'afficher le graphique qui aurait dû être présenté ici. Voir la requête brute et les sources sur Wikidata. Classement 2019 Rang Aéroport Ville Code Total Passagers Évolution Capacité 1 Aéroport Mohammed V - Casablanca Nouaceur CMN 1...
1977 studio album by Jo JonesThe Main ManStudio album by Jo JonesReleased1977RecordedNovember 29 & 30, 1976StudioRCA Recording Studios, New York City, NYGenreJazzLength42:42LabelPablo2310 799ProducerNorman GranzJo Jones chronology The Drums(1973) The Main Man(1977) Our Man, Papa Jo!(1985) The Main Man is an album by drummer Jo Jones recorded in 1976 and released by the Pablo label the following year.[1][2] Reception Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingAllM...
Bagian dari seriGenerasi telepon genggam Telekomunikasi seluler 1G 2G 3G 3.5G 4G 4.5G 5G lbs Satu dekade evolusi dari telepon genggam, dari Motorola 8900X-2 1994 hingga HTC Typhoon 2004, ponsel pintar awal Telepon genggam atau telepon seluler (disingkat ponsel) (bahasa Inggris: handphone atau disingkat HP) adalah perangkat telekomunikasi elektronik yang mempunyai kemampuan dasar yang sama dengan telepon konvensional saluran tetap, tetapi dapat dibawa ke mana-mana yang mana ini disebut por...
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.Find sources: Cornell Policy Review – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2013) This article may...
Mokum RecordsFounded1993 (1993)FounderFred BerkhoutGenreGabber, hardcore techno, happy hardcoreCountry of originNetherlandsLocationAmsterdam Mokum Records is a Dutch independent record label specialising in early hardcore and hardcore releases. They have released about 100 single and EP vinyl records between 1993 and 1999 and more than 80 since 2004. Fred Berkhout (Freddy B) created Mokum Records in 1993 as a joke response to another record label, Rotterdam Records. The label was origina...
Provinsi Sumatera Barat memiliki 34 (tiga puluh empat) gunung yang tersebar di 7 (tujuh) kabupaten/kota dari 19 (sembilan belas) kabupaten/kota yang ada. Gunung yang tertinggi adalah Gunung Talamau dengan ketinggian 2.913 meter, sedangkan gunung yang terendah adalah Gunung Galanggang dengan ketinggian 20 meter. Kedua gunung tersebut berada di Kabupaten Pasaman Barat. Sedangkan Gunung Kerinci terletak di perbatasan provinsi Sumatera Barat dan Jambi.[1][2]Gunung Kerinci sebagai ...
Chinese film and television actress Not to be confused with Aliya (actress). Ai LiyaAi Liya, in 2019Born (1965-12-01) 1 December 1965 (age 58)Inner Mongolia, ChinaNationalityChineseYears active1986–presentAwardsHuabiao Awards – Outstanding Actress1995 Ermo Golden Rooster Awards – Best Actress1995 Ermo Ai Liya (Chinese: 艾丽娅; born 1 December 1965 in Inner Mongolia)[1] is a Chinese film and television actress.[2] She graduated from the Acting Department ...
2009 film by V. M. Vinu Makante AchanFilm posterDirected byV. M. VinuWritten bySamjad NarayananProduced bySeven Arts International G.P. Vijayakumar (executive producer)StarringSreenivasanVineeth SreenivasanCinematographyManoj PillaiEdited byP. C. MohananMusic byM. Jayachandran (songs) Ouseppachan (score)ProductioncompanySeven ArtsDistributed bySeven Arts ReleaseRelease date 23 January 2009 (2009-01-23) Running time140 minutesCountryIndiaLanguageMalayalam Makante Achan (transl.&...
Danish architect (1803–1883) For other people named Christian Hansen, see Christian Hansen. Hans Christian HansenBorn(1803-04-20)20 April 1803Copenhagen, DenmarkDied2 May 1883(1883-05-02) (aged 80)Vienna, AustriaNationalityDanishAlma materRoyal Danish Academy of Fine ArtsOccupationArchitectBuildingsNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensCopenhagen Municipal HospitalØstervold Observatory Hans Christian Hansen (20 April 1803 – 2 May 1883) was a Historicist Danish arch...
This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) IEEE Andrew S. Grove AwardAwarded forOutstanding contributions to solid-state devices and technologyReward(s)The award consists of a bronze medal, certificate, and hon...
Luis Orozco Datos personalesNombre completo Luis Alberto Orozco PeñuelasApodo(s) El ChuletaNacimiento Los Mochis, Sinaloa, México1 de marzo de 1984 (39 años)Nacionalidad(es) Altura 1.84 metrosCarrera deportivaDeporte FútbolClub profesionalDebut deportivo 2003(Cruz Azul)Posición DelanteroGoles en clubes 38Retirada deportiva 2014(Dorados de Sinaloa)Selección nacionalPart. 0[editar datos en Wikidata] Luis Alberto Orozco (Los Mochis, Sinaloa, 1 de marzo de 1984) es un ex...
.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
.png)
.svg){kind=small}
