US Supported Ground Offensive to Take Back Tabqa Dam in Raqqa

U.S. and supported forces are on the offensive, in Syria, to take back the Tabqa Dam.

ISIS took control of the dam in 2013. It supplies electricity to a large part of the country. Syrian Democratic Forces, fighters of the Kurdish-Arab alliance, and Syrian Arab Forces are backed by the U.S. military, in the ground offensive. Marines are providing artillery fire to cover the attack.

Taking back the Tabqa Dam is critical in segregating Raqqa. This will further the intent to retake the city from ISIS control.

U.S. military advisers are on the ground with the troops but are hanging back to maintain control of the situation.

An airstrike targeted a school in al-Mansoura, outside Raqqa. The school contained refugees from Palmyra. Therefore, more than a dozen people were killed.

The Syrian Arab News Agency, which is state run, reported that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blames the ground offensive for the many lives lost in the airstrike.

The coalition released a statement indicating they were unaware an airstrike hit civilians. There will be an investigation conducted by the civilian casualty team into the air attack on the school.

Raqqa was the first large city ISIS captured, in 2014. The extremist organization built up its forces and planted their command headquarters in Raqqa.

The city is mostly surrounded. ISIS supply routes have been cut-off by fighters. Arab and Kurdish forces, supported by the U.S.military, are coming down on ISIS from north of the city. Government fighters from Syria, backed by Russia, are closing in on the west side.

The coalition is conducting airstrikes to support the ground offensive. The hope is to take back Tabqa Dam and then Raqqa.

Written by Jeanette Smith

Sources:

Eerie News Now: Airstrike on Syria school near Raqqa kills dozens, reports say
CNN: US military helping US-backed forces in fight for Tabqa Dam in Syria

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