The Islamic State launched an attack on the Tabqa Airbase, the last military stronghold in the Ar-Raqqa Governate for the Syrian Arab Army.

The attack began around 6 P.M. Damascus Time, when an Islamic State fighter successfully destroyed the base’s protective barrier with a VBEID, killing himself in the process. Violent clashes ensued, along with multiple airstrikes by the Syrian Air Force. According to a source in Ar-Raqqa, the Islamic State is attacking the base with approximately 800 well-armed men. Tabqa Airbase is used by the Syrian Air Force to launch attacks in the Ar-Raqqa and Al-Hasakah Governates.