© Sputnik/ Iliya Pitalev
On Saturday, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger Forces captured Sha’b al-Dakr village, which is located in the western Tabqah countryside 22 km from Tabqah town. Thus, the SAA completed its advance in this direction after reaching the positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
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According reports from pro-SDF and pro-opposition sources, the Syrian Air Force bombed positions controlled by SDF in the western part of Tabqah town on June 9 and 10. According to opposition sources, on June 10, the US-led coalition warplanes targeted an SAA convoy west of Raqqa and completely destroyed it. All these reports appeared to be false.
Pro-government sources have argued that the US-led coalition warplanes didn’t hit any position or vehicles belonging to the SAA, but there was a warning strike.
As the sources confirmed that SAA in turn wasn’t trying to advance towards Tabqah or attacking SDF positions. Moreover, it’s believe that SAA and SDF may create a buffer zone in the vicinity of Tabqah, similar to that in western Manbij.
Meanwhile, the SAA is preparing to continue its advance in the northern Aleppo countryside soon. The SAA will likely attempt to advance towards the Khanasir road in order to drive ISIS from the remaining areas under its control in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
