Ongoing Clashes and Escalating Tensions in Tabqa, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor

Intense clashes continue in several areas of the countryside of Tabqa, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor, following attacks launched by mercenaries affiliated with the transitional government in Syria since yesterday, amid ongoing military escalation and the use of various types of heavy weaponry.

According to field sources, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in their efforts to de-escalate tensions in Syria and demonstrate their intent to reach a solution, had made the decision to withdraw on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from the areas of Deir Hafir and Maskana. However, these forces were subjected to attacks while preparing to complete the withdrawal process, before fully leaving their positions.

The information indicated that the attacks, which began in Deir Hafir and Maskana, later extended to the countrysides of Tabqa, Mansoura, Raqqa, and areas in Deir ez-Zor. The SDF and Internal Security Forces repelled these attacks, leading to fierce clashes.

Sources confirmed that the SDF, along with the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and Internal Security Forces, faced the attacks that were carried out using automatic weapons, artillery, and various types of heavy weaponry, causing losses and damage to the attacking groups. The intensity of the clashes escalated until the early hours of today and continues in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, southern Raqqa countryside, in addition to Mansoura city and Tabqa countryside.

In a concurrent field development, the city of Tabqa is witnessing fierce clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and mercenaries affiliated with the transitional government in Syria, along with groups loyal to the Turkish occupation state, who infiltrated the city yesterday. Agency correspondents reported violent confrontations within the city’s neighborhoods, while clashes continue in several locations in the countrysides of Tabqa, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor.

In the same context of escalation, the housing units of the Tishreen Dam are currently under artillery shelling, as they were targeted by mercenaries of the transitional government in Syria, along with groups loyal to the Turkish occupation state, using shells. No immediate information has been provided regarding the extent of the damage or casualties.

This escalation comes amid growing tension in northern and eastern Syria, with concerns about the widening scope of confrontations in the near future.