The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday the clashes erupted as ISIL militants launched a new offensive to take the Tabqa base.

According to the report, the attack started overnight when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to the base.

The two sides then exchanged rocket, artillery and heavy machine gun fire and the army deployed air strikes against the attacking ISIL militants, the Britain-based group said.

Those deaths brought ISIL losses since it began its assault on Tabqa to at least 94, with more than 400 wounded, according to the Observatory.

ISIL has brought in reinforcements from other areas it controls in Syria, as well as neighboring Iraq, the Observatory added.

Syrian army has airlifted reinforcements to the base and stepped up air strikes against ISIL positions across Raqqa, using precision rockets.

RA/SHI