The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached the outskirts of Taqba, a key town held by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) in northern Syria, AFP reported Saturday (April 15th).
The Arab-Kurd alliance, supported by coalition airstrikes and special forces advisers, surrounded Tabqa in early April and have cut its main supply routes.
The town and its nearby dam on the Euphrates River are considered key prizes in the broader offensive for al-Raqa, about 55 kilometres to the east.
An SDF military source said Saturday that clashes were "at their height" and that SDF forces were "trying to penetrate the town from the east and west".
The alliance was reported to have advanced overnight after driving ISIL from two areas just south-east and south-west of the town.
SDF fighters are within a few hundred metres of Tabqa, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman said Saturday.
He said heavy clashes were under way as ISIL attempted to counter-attack.
