Tabqa liberated as PKK-linked forces are driven out https://tankie.tube/videos/watch/ed5f003d-d6ee-42cd-b4f8-2afead8f25f2 Residents flooded the streets of Tabqa to celebrate after PKK-linked SDF fighters were pushed out of the city, ending years of armed control. Locals openly marked the liberation, chanting and waving flags as the group lost control of neighbourhoods and key positions. The SDF is widely regarded as the Syrian branch of the PKK, an armed organisation designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom. Tabqa’s importance lies in its control of the Euphrates Dam and the nearby military airbase, infrastructure that determines water, electricity and security across large parts of northern Syria. Backed by Washington and aligned with broader US and Israeli regional interests, the group enforced rule over strategic parts of Syria, including most of the country's oil and gas resources. Its expulsion is seen by residents as the collapse of a foreign-backed armed presence and the reclaiming of an Arab-majority strategic city. Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0fZh5SBxxMNYdg0VzRFkg/join Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at MEELive@middleeasteye.org Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeasteye Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/MiddleEastEye Like us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/MiddleEastEye Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:30:05 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://tankie.tube Tabqa liberated as PKK-linked forces are driven out https://tankie.tube/lazy-static/avatars/3ba3ff73-a8b6-49c9-add8-9653ef090c7f.webp https://tankie.tube/videos/watch/ed5f003d-d6ee-42cd-b4f8-2afead8f25f2 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://tankie.tube/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.