Following the capture of the Al-Tabqa Airport on March 26, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fought off several Islamic State counterattacks in the area on March 27-28 before announcing the compound was clear of all Islamic State elements.

Aerial footage provided by the SDF shows virtually abandoned and destroyed airstrips, while additional footage shows Kurdish SDF fighters identifying a large arsenal of Islamic State weapons inside one of the airport’s buildings. Featured amongst the discovered weapons were numerous Russian grenades, numerous unmarked mortars and landmines, as well as countless suicide vests, IEDs, and homemade short-range rockets.