(Zaman Alwasl)- Islamic State fighters on Sunday have captured al-Tabqa airbase in Raqqa province after 4 days of fierce fighting with forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, a monitoring group and pro-IS activists say.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS fighters have taken almost full control of Tabqa base as the fighting is still taking place inside the airport.
IS fighters were seen carrying heads of regime’s soldiers who were killed. The Islamic State beheaded the soldiers in a move seen by many people to terrify those who oppose or even think to oppose the Islamic State, according to the Observatory.
Initial reports say some Assad’s troops have withdrawn heading Athariya town. The Observatory said 320 Syrian troops were killed and missed.
Regime's state media admitted the loss of the airport, claiming a tactic move by Syrian army to another military base.
“IS fighters are celebrating in Raqqa city after capturing Tabqa airbase. They are shooting in air. Mosques calling 'Allahu Akbar', Akhbar TV reporter Jenan Moussa said.
Now, Raqqa has become the first governorate without any Assad regime presence, activists say.
The airbase at Tabqa, some 40 km (25 miles) east of the city of Raqqa in northeast Syria, represents the government's last foothold in an area controlled by IS.
The Observatory said at least 100 fighters of IS have been killed and 300 more wounded during the clashes which erupted last Tuesday.
On Friday, Syrian government forces have sent reinforcements to Tabqa airport, Reuters said.
In recent weeks, IS has taken three Syrian army bases in Raqqa, expanding its arsenal by 20 long-range artillery guns and least 22 tanks, a Western official said, basing the analysis on images posted online, according to Reuters.
The city of Raqqa on the Euphrates River represents the Islamic State's stronghold in Syria. Boosted by weaponry seized in Iraq, the group has taken three Syrian military bases in the area in recent weeks.
The human rights office of the UN reported Friday that at least 191,369 people have been killed in the Syrian armed conflict between March 2011 and April this year. (With agencies)
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