Syrian government forces close in on Raqqa after rapid advances
Syrian government troops have made swift gains in northern Syria and are now closing in on the city of Raqqa, coming within about five kilometres of its outskirts. In recent hours, the forces seized Tabqa airport, a site long considered a key stronghold of Kurdish-led fighters.
Government units have also taken control of two oilfields and the Freedom Dam west of Raqqa, significantly strengthening their strategic position in the area. The speed of the advance has taken many observers by surprise.
In just over ten days, government troops captured the Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo, followed by the rest of Aleppo province. Their focus has now shifted to Raqqa, a city with major military and symbolic importance.
Unlike many areas previously taken, Raqqa is predominantly an Arab city. Kurdish-led forces inside the city have imposed a curfew amid fears of unrest and possible defections among the local population as government forces approach.
Some Syrians say the rapid offensive echoes last year’s sudden advances by other armed groups that reshaped the conflict. What happens next in Raqqa could prove decisive for the future of northern Syria and the broader balance of power in the country.
