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In pictures: A waterway lifeline for US-backed Syria force fighting IS

Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, patrol next to boats at the Lake Assad, an enormous reservoir created by the Tabqa dam, as part of their battle for the Islamic State's (IS) stronghold in nearby Raqa. As US-backed fighters advance on the IS group's de facto Syrian stronghold Raqa, a waterway "corridor" has become a key supply line, and an escape route for displaced civilians. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on: May 01, 2017 9:18 AM IST

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Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, patrol next to boats at the Lake Assad, an enormous reservoir created by the Tabqa dam, as part of their battle for the Islamic State's (IS) stronghold in nearby Raqa. As US-backed fighters advance on the IS group's de facto Syrian stronghold Raqa, a waterway "corridor" has become a key supply line, and an escape route for displaced civilians. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, patrol next to boats at the Lake Assad, an enormous reservoir created by the Tabqa dam, as part of their battle for the Islamic State's (IS) stronghold in nearby Raqa. As US-backed fighters advance on the IS group's de facto Syrian stronghold Raqa, a waterway "corridor" has become a key supply line, and an escape route for displaced civilians. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sits on a boat at the Lake Assad. Their direct land route from the territory they hold in the north is blocked by the Tabqa dam, which remains under IS control. So instead, they are running supplies across Lake Assad, an enormous reservoir created by the dam, as well as ferrying civilians fleeing Tabqa back across to safety. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sits on a boat at the Lake Assad. Their direct land route from the territory they hold in the north is blocked by the Tabqa dam, which remains under IS control. So instead, they are running supplies across Lake Assad, an enormous reservoir created by the dam, as well as ferrying civilians fleeing Tabqa back across to safety. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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Female members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stand on a boat at the Lake Assad. The boats, borrowed from local fishermen and attached with orange rope, drive the “ferry” and its occupants across the lake multiple times a day on an hour-long journey. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Female members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stand on a boat at the Lake Assad. The boats, borrowed from local fishermen and attached with orange rope, drive the “ferry” and its occupants across the lake multiple times a day on an hour-long journey. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) wait for a boat carrying civilians. On Saturday, several dozen civilians waited on the northern side of the lake, hours after crossing to safety, as fighters loaded up the floating bridge moored near the Jaabar Castle, a local historical site. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) wait for a boat carrying civilians. On Saturday, several dozen civilians waited on the northern side of the lake, hours after crossing to safety, as fighters loaded up the floating bridge moored near the Jaabar Castle, a local historical site. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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As the arrivals waited for permission to move north into SDF-held territory, fighters loaded vehicles with food and other supplies and drove them onto the makeshift ferry. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

As the arrivals waited for permission to move north into SDF-held territory, fighters loaded vehicles with food and other supplies and drove them onto the makeshift ferry. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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Displaced civilians are seen on the back of a pick up truck after being rescued by members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Fighters offered civilians loaves of flat bread as they waited. The makeshift craft relies on local fishermen who have lent the SDF their boats. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Displaced civilians are seen on the back of a pick up truck after being rescued by members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Fighters offered civilians loaves of flat bread as they waited. The makeshift craft relies on local fishermen who have lent the SDF their boats. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) look towards the Jaabar Castle. They fish in the morning, but their boats spend the rest of the day serving as motors to get the floating bridge back and forth. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) look towards the Jaabar Castle. They fish in the morning, but their boats spend the rest of the day serving as motors to get the floating bridge back and forth. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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The hour-long trip to the southern shore, where more civilians are waiting to escape, is a sharp contrast with the fierce fighting that awaits SDF forces in Tabqa. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

The hour-long trip to the southern shore, where more civilians are waiting to escape, is a sharp contrast with the fierce fighting that awaits SDF forces in Tabqa. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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The US-backed force now controls more than 50 percent of the town, but has faced fierce resistance from IS, with the jihadists deploying suicide attackers, car bombs and weaponised drones. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

The US-backed force now controls more than 50 percent of the town, but has faced fierce resistance from IS, with the jihadists deploying suicide attackers, car bombs and weaponised drones. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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Capturing Tabqa will be a key step towards the advance on Raqa, which the SDF is seeking to encircle before beginning a final assault. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Capturing Tabqa will be a key step towards the advance on Raqa, which the SDF is seeking to encircle before beginning a final assault. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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Female members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) take a piture as they stand on a boat at the Tabqa dam. On the water though, there is little sound except the engines of the boats and the thump of two US-led coalition helicopters overhead, helping secure the corridor. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

Female members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) take a piture as they stand on a boat at the Tabqa dam. On the water though, there is little sound except the engines of the boats and the thump of two US-led coalition helicopters overhead, helping secure the corridor. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sits on the edge of a boat at the Tabqa dam. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Published on May 01, 2017 9:18 AM

A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sits on the edge of a boat at the Tabqa dam. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)

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