Islamic State capture Syrian airbase

August 24, 2014

fighters are reported to have taken control of Tabqa airbase, the last government stronghold in the northern province of, today after several days of fighting.



The loss was confirmed by Syrian state television, who reported a "successful evacuation of the airport" and that the government forces were continuing local operations against "terrorist groups". This is the third military base in the province to fall to the extremist group in recent weeks, after reports of them seizing weapons during their advances in neighboring.

Monitoring group  reported over 300 Islamic State fighters were killed in the fighting since Tuesday, with over 150 government soldiers killed in the same time frame. Clashes reportedly continue in the area around the base.

The airbase reportedly contained several of warplanes, tanks, and artillery.

Elsewhere, Islamic State fighters were reported to have withdrawn from the area around and to have retreated east, giving up the area to fighters of the. Other rebel groups backed by Western countries have also been fighting the Islamic State, but tend to lose those confrontations.

The ongoing fighting is a continuation of the, which started in 2011 as protest groups confronted forces loyal to President. Fighters of the Islamic State had previously fought alongside other opposition groups, but its treatment of individuals led to fighting between them.