Syrian Regime Forfeits First Province With Loss of Air Base

Islamic State militants seized Tabqa air base in the Syrian province of Raqqa on Aug. 24. Forces loyal to the regime of Bashar al Assad had managed to repulse three Islamic State attacks on the base during the preceding days before being overcome in a fourth assault. With the fall of Tabqa air base, the regime has lost control of an entire province for the first time since the Syrian civil war began in 2011.