SDF reports 'intense clashes' as Syrian army advances in Aleppo and Raqqa Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 01/17/2026 - 16:09 Syrian Democratic Forces accuse Damascus of 'treachery' and breaching a withdrawal agreement Syrian soldiers ride a tank as they replace Kurdish forces after their withdrawal from Maskanah, northern Syria on 17 January 2026 (AFP) Off The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said they were "engaged in intense clashes" with government forces advancing on Raqqa, where Kurdish authorities have imposed a curfew "until further notice". On Friday, Syrian government forces seized a number of towns and villages in the Aleppo region, after the SDF agreed to withdraw to the east of the Euphrates, where clashes had been ongoing for the previous two days. Having seized territory outside Aleppo city, the army declared Kurdish-held territory in the Raqqa province, southwest of the Euphrates River, including the city of Tabqa, a "closed military zone". In statements reported by state media, government forces declared they would target several military sites in the area, one of them close to Raqqa city. On Saturday, Kurdish forces accused Damascus of violating the withdrawal agreement, saying that the deal required a ceasefire and a 48-hour withdrawal from Deir Hafer and Maskana, in the Aleppo province, but the government launched attacks before their forces had fully pulled out. The SDF said that some of its fighters were under siege in Deir Hafer "as a result of the Damascus government's treachery". It also reported that its troops "are currently engaged in intense clashes with factions affiliated with the Damascus government" in the neighbouring Raqqa province, in an area south of Tabqa, "which was outside the scope of the agreement". In a statement carried by state media, the Syrian military accused Kurdish fighters of planting explosives on a bridge on the road east to Raqqa, warning that the move could "disrupt the agreement", and incur "very severe consequences". What is Turkey's vision for the Kurds in Syria? Read More » The army further urged the SDF to "immediately fulfil its announced commitments and fully withdraw to the east of the Euphrates River", calling for it to evacuate its fighters from Tabqa. It also claimed its troops had seized Raqqa province's Resafa area and several nearby villages. State news agency Sana reported that the military had captured al-Thawra and another oil field in the region. The clashes come as Syrian Interim President Ahmad al‑Sharaa issued a decree recognising the legal status and cultural rights of Syrian Kurdish citizens. The decree marks the first official acknowledgement of Kurdish national rights since Syria gained independence in 1946. Syrian Kurdish parties have said the symbolic move is not a lasting solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria. Syria after Assad News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0