Islamic militants attack Syrian air base

Islamic militants attacked a Syrian air base Wednesday morning, firing rockets and tank shells.

The air base attack in Tabqa in northeast Syria was expected as ISIS solidifies its control in the region. The attack marks the start of "a long-anticipated offensive to seize the last position held by the Syrian government in a province that is a stronghold of the Islamic State group," The Associated Press reports.

Tabqa's air base is "one of the most significant government military facilities in the area," according to AP. It contains warplane squadrons, helicopters, and tanks.

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The attack comes after ISIS declared a caliphate in Iraq and Syria in June.