RBSS
In the current period, the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the International Coalition warplanes, are advancing in Raqqa’s western countryside. They are only 12 kilometers far from the northern entrance of Tabqa western Raqqa.
Tabqa is one of the most important locations in the area because of the Euphrates Dam and the military airbase.
Tabqa military airbase is very important for all the major parties involved in the Syria case. America has established two military airports in Ein Arab and Ein Issa, this means that they do need the military airport in Tabqa in order to support their war against terrorism in northern Syria. The military airbase in Tabqa covers the eastern parts of Syria and of course Raqqa city.
As for Russia, the military airbase in Tabqa in no less important due to several reasons, such as: it was established by the Soviet Union along with the strategic location of the airbase, It is worth noted that the airport is still in a very good technical situation, none of the international coalition, the Russian and the regime warplanes have targeted it.
The scenarios of controlling over the airbase
The first scenario: SDF take the airbase and make a deal with the Russians in order to get their satisfaction before Astana conference. The possibilities of this scenario are not that much because SDF are planning to reach the entrance of the Dam and then complete along with the river until Raqqa.
The second scenario: The regime forces advance toward the airport taking advantage of the fact that ISIS is busy facing SDF in Tabqa and the regime army in Palmyra. The regime army is 25 kilometers far from Tabqa.
The last scenario: in case Euphrates Shield managed to take Al Bab and advance toward Tabqa and Maskaneh where the Turkish army is preparing for Euphrates Shield 2. It should be noted that there are no problems between the Turkish and Russian in regard of the airport so even if the Euphrates Shield controlled over the airport the Russians will get the airport.
Among all these scenarios, local people wish that neither the regime nor the Kurdish forces control over the airport .
