Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Isil fighters capture key Syrian air base in sign of growing strength
UK Telegraph ^ | August 24,2014 | Ruth Sherlock

Posted on 08/24/2014 6:51:34 PM PDT by Hojczyk

Jihadist fighters captured a major military air base in northeastern Syria on Sunday, removing the last government-held post in a province the extremists claim as part of their new "Islamic State". The storming of Tabqa air field, a major government military facility containing several squadrons of planes, helicopters, tanks and artillery, is a significant victory for the Islamic State of the Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

"Some of the Syrian regime troops pulled out, and now the Islamic State is in full control of Tabqa," said Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "This makes Raqqa province the first to fully fall out of government hands."

At least 500 fighters from both sides were reported to have died in the fighting over recent days, with casualties among Isil forces said to be running twice as high as among the government troops.

There were reports of celebratory gunfire in Raqqa, Isil's central stronghold in Syria, after mosques announced through their loudspeakers that the base had fallen to the Islamists. A witness told the Reuters news agency that fighters displayed the severed heads of Syrian army soldiers in the city square.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 08/24/2014 6:51:34 PM PDT by Hojczyk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Hojczyk

2 posted on 08/24/2014 6:53:40 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hojczyk

“Germany is arming fast, and no one is going to stop her,” he told Parliament in March, 1934. “I dread the day when the means of threatening the heart of the British Empire should pass into the hands of the present rulers of Germany .... I dread that day, but it is not, perhaps, far distant.” - Winston Churchill.


3 posted on 08/24/2014 6:58:56 PM PDT by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience. It is a guide to your actions.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hojczyk

This is getting serious. It could mean 36 holes tomorrow.


4 posted on 08/24/2014 7:14:23 PM PDT by Baynative (Free people are not equal, equal people are not free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Baynative

Talk about a sand trap.


5 posted on 08/24/2014 7:24:08 PM PDT by billhilly (Its OK, the left hated Bush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Baynative

It could mean 36 holes tomorrow>>>>>

Then getting some tutti fruti ice cream with Reggie


6 posted on 08/24/2014 7:44:24 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Hojczyk

Looks like The Telegraph reads UK’s Daily Mail. Same report almost word for word
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3196513/posts
In fact the piece in the Mail has more info and speculation


7 posted on 08/24/2014 9:10:25 PM PDT by mosesdapoet (Serious contribution pause.Please continue onto meaningless venting no one reads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson