An Arab-Kurd opposition alliance on Monday (March 27th) paused an offensive for a key dam held by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) to allow a technical team to enter the complex, AFP reported.
There have been fears about the integrity of the ISIL-held dam after fighting in the area forced it out of service on Sunday, following earlier UN warnings that a collapse would be "catastrophic".
With air support from the coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are fighting to seize the town of Tabqa and the adjacent dam on the Euphrates River, as part of their battle for the group's stronghold in nearby al-Raqa.
The technical team "will assess the level of damage and repair what is needed so that the dam can resume its operations", a source at the dam said.
Late Sunday, the SDF seized Tabqa airbase and pressed north towards the town.
