American Special Forces executed a tactical airdrop in Tabaqa airbase using Osprey v22 helicopters, the most sophisticated in the world. As a result of the attack, American and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of the airport from Islamic State forces.
The military operation came as part of a series of military operations to besiege the Islamic State forces in their stronghold in al-Raqqah city. The landing is the second of its kind executed by American forces in Syria. The first landing was in Harirat, the reservation on the southern coast of the Euphrates Dam lake, which cut off the Aleppo route to Tabaqa.
For the American forces, the importance of the al-Tabaqa airport lies in Turkey’s threat to close the Incirlik airbase in Adana due to the political tension between the two countries. The political tension between the USA and Turkey stems from the divergent military strategy pursued by the two countries in northern Syria.
American support for the Kurdistan Democratic Union Party and its military wing the Democratic Union Party (PYD) is another source of tension. Turkey considers the Kurdistan Democratic Union Party and the PYD extensions of the Kurdistan People’s Party (PKK) and terrorist entities. The PYD forces are core forces within the SDF which are supported by the United States in the fight against the Islamic State forces. These forces are key to the USA’s strategy to liberate al-Raqqah.
Perhaps the al-Tabaqa military airport is a key American military target as it will serve as the new American airbase in the region. The move may also be a hint to Turkey that Incirlik base is replaceable, especially given al-Tabaqa airport is a more strategic airbase.
-Tabaqa Airport-
Tabaqa airport is considered one of the biggest in Syria and it is classified as a first rate airbase. The airbase is located seven kilometers south of al-Tabaqa city. The airbase includes all the facilities required for around 50 air crafts of different types and sizes to be present. It can fit over 100 airplane hangers. It also includes facilities to house technicians and staff. However, the most important question remains will the Americans consider this airbase an alternative for Incirlik airbase in Adana in the near future
