The Fall of Al Tabqa Airbase Part 1: IS Drone Footage?

The Islamic State claims to have deployed advanced reconnaissance techniques to plan its successful offensive against the al-Tabqa airbase, which fell on August 24.

As early as September 7, a video emerged on YouTube of purported IS drone surveillance of the ill-fated airbase:



This is not the first time IS has allegedly deployed a surveillance drone. As early as August 23, a video was uploaded on YouTube of an IS drone over Syrian Army Base 93 in Raqqa.


   
A comparison of unique structures and paths in alleged IS drone footage with Google Earth tentatively verifies that both the al-Tabqa airbase, and Syrian Army Base 93, were surveilled by an aerial reconnaissance vehicle.

1. al-Tabqa Air Base

Alleged IS Drone Footage:

Google Earth:
 

2. Syrian Army Base 93

Alleged IS Drone Footage:

Google Earth:

 

But was either base indeed surveilled by an IS UAV, or has IS simply discovered and edited existing commercial or military flyover footage?