<p>US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces</a> entered the Islamic State-held town of al-Tabqa on Monday, April 24, reportedly</a> capturing several areas in the southern and western outskirts of the Raqqa provincial town.</p><p>The SDF has laid siege to the IS-held town on all four axes in recent weeks as part of the third phase of the Kurdish Raqqa Offensive</a>.</p><p>After entering the city on April 24, SDF fighters captured the southern Wahab and Alexandria Districts, as well as the western entrance to the city near the al-Tabqa Church.</p><p>Media activists inside the town warned</a> that they have been virtually cutoff from the outside world due to the ongoing siege and ensuing clashes around the city. In recent days, US-led coalition airstrikes purportedly knocked out communications infrastructure sites in the city.</p><p>The approximately 30,000 civilians residing inside al-Tabqa are facing grave humanitarian conditions. Resident Muhab Nasser said</a> the town has been without clean water and power for over a month and that access to food and critical medical supplies such as baby formula has remained limited.</p><br />
