RAQQA, Syria (August 25, 2017) – On August 25th Islamic State fighters launched a major offensive against government forces along the Euphrates River. The Islamic State first used a SVBIED (Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device) to hit the Syrian Arab Army and then launched a ground assault with many fighters and vehicles.
During this offensive the Islamic State managed to recapture the villages Muqlah, Salim al-Hammad, Abu Hammad, Subayat, Ghanim al-Ali, Zwar Shammer and Al-Jabali along the Euphrates. Some sources also claimed that the village Shuraydah was also captured by the IS. This can not be confirmed until now. According to the IS media outlet “Amaq” more then 99 government fighters were killed in the clashes. Some captured government fighters were executed by Islamic State fighters point blank.
Later Amaq published pictures of the offensive. Some will be posted here except for graphic pictures showing the corpses of the government soldiers.
Government sources are now reporting that the Tiger Forces are heading to the Euphrates to recapture the lost areas from the Islamic State. Some even claim that that several villages were already recaptured. We will keep you updated on our interactive map about the situation: Syrian Civil War Map
