Syrian govt seizes strategic town in Raqqa from Kurdish forces

The SDF controls large swaths of northeastern Syria

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Government forces seized a strategic town Sunday in eastern Syria, part of an ongoing push against Kurdish-led forces east of the Euphrates River.

This came after tensions between Damascus and the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces flared earlier this month, leading to deadly clashes and the government taking control of three Aleppo neighbourhoods from Kurdish fighters.

Sunday's military push into Tabga in the province of Raqqa is viewed as critical due to a dam that controls the southward flow deeper into areas under the SDF. The town is also home to a military air base.

An Associated Press reporter saw residents coming out of their homes to welcome the Syrian troops while waving the national flag.