(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, March 22 (KUNA) -- Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), along with Syrian Arab coalition fighters, have launched a multi-pronged offensive to liberate the Tabqah Dam in Syria from the so-called Islamic State, US Central Command announced on Wednesday.
The offensive, which occurred during the darkness of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, was led by the SDF and supported by the coalition that is working to defeat IS, the announcement said.
The coalition backed the offensive with air movement and logistical support, precision airstrikes, Apache helicopters in close air support, Marine artillery and special operations advice and assistance to SDF leadership, the statement said.
Over the last four months, the coalition has conducted more than 300 airstrikes around Tabqah and near Raqqah that have killed hundreds of enemy fighters, destroyed more than 200 fortifications and more than 50 IS vehicles, the statement said.
Seizing Tabqah Dam will isolate Raqqah from three sides and give the SDF the strategic advantage and launching point needed for the liberation of the city, the statement said. The area is critical to the ability of IS to import and harbor foreign fighters, export terror and is IS's last link to territory west of the Euphrates, it said.
Tabqah Dam has been used as an IS headquarters, a prison for high-profile hostages, a training location and for external terror plotting since IS took control of the location in 2013, the statement said.
Tabqah Dam is a key element of northern Syria's economy, agriculture and way of life, and its destruction by IS could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis, the statement said, adding that the coalition will take every precaution to ensure the integrity of the dam.
Earlier in the day, a Pentagon spokesman said the coalition would investigate an alleged US-led coalition strike that was reported to have killed 33 civilians in northern Syria.
"Since we have conducted several strikes near Raqqah, we will provide this information to our civilian casualty team for further investigation," the spokesman said. (end) rm.ibi
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