Syrian government forces seized the strategic town of Tabqa in Raqqa province, a move that advances their position east of the Euphrates. Tabqa’s dam and air base make it a significant objective, and residents were reported to have greeted advancing troops. The capture follows deadly clashes earlier this month in Aleppo, and both Damascus and the SDF accuse each other of breaking a March reintegration agreement. The SDF says it will redeploy east of the Euphrates, while tensions and contested control have also risen in nearby Deir el-Zour.
Syrian Forces Capture Strategic Tabqa in Raqqa, Signaling Eastward Advance
A Syrian government soldier displays the ID of a dead civilian found in the street after government forces seized the strategic town of Taqba in eastern Syria, as part of an ongoing push against Kurdish-led forces, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Government forces captured the strategic town of Tabqa in Raqqa province on Sunday, part of an apparent eastward push against the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of the Euphrates River.
Syrian government soldiers and locals carry the body of a dead civilian found by relatives in the street after government forces seized the strategic town of Taqba in eastern Syria, as part of an ongoing push against Kurdish-led forces, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Why Tabqa Matters
Tabqa is strategically important because it hosts a dam that controls water flowing south into areas held by the SDF and contains a military air base. An Associated Press reporter on the ground said residents emerged from their homes to greet Syrian troops waving the national flag.
Syrian government soldiers and locals carry the body of a dead civilian found by relatives in the street after government forces seized the strategic town of Taqba in eastern Syria, as part of an ongoing push against Kurdish-led forces, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Recent Tensions and Fighting
The operation follows renewed tensions earlier this month between Damascus and the SDF that erupted into deadly clashes in Aleppo, leaving 23 people dead and displacing tens of thousands. The government and the SDF have accused one another of violating a March agreement intended to reintegrate parts of northeastern Syria under Damascus’ authority.
A Syrian government soldier stands next to the bodies of U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters on a road leading to the strategic town of Taqba in eastern Syria, during an ongoing push against Kurdish-led forces, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Forces, Movements and Claims
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced that SDF forces would reposition to areas east of the Euphrates after the recent clashes. Syrian state media SANA reported that Kurdish forces detonated a bridge in Tabqa in an apparent effort to slow government advances. The Syrian government also accused the SDF of executing prisoners before withdrawing; the SDF denied the allegation, saying it moved detainees out of the prison and released a short video showing armed men in civilian clothes at the facility seizing munitions left behind.
Syrian government soldiers pose for a photo taken by another soldier at the entrance to Raqqa, Syria, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Background
The SDF controls large parts of northeastern Syria and has been Washington’s primary partner in the fight against the extremist Islamic State group. The SDF originally captured Tabqa from Islamic State in 2017 during its campaign to dismantle the group's so-called caliphate.
Developments Further East
In Deir el-Zour province, east of Raqqa, the provincial governor urged residents to stay home amid reports of clashes with SDF units. Relations between the SDF and some Arab tribes in the region — which is near a strategic border crossing into Iraq — have grown increasingly strained. The province contains the Al-Omar oil and Conoco gas fields; there are unconfirmed reports that local armed groups opposed to Kurdish administration have sought to seize control of some facilities. Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that government forces took control of more than a dozen villages and towns in eastern Deir el-Zour countryside after SDF withdrawals.
What This Could Mean
With Tabqa now under government control, Damascus appears to be consolidating gains in predominantly Arab areas of Raqqa province. It remains unclear how far the Syrian military intends to advance into predominantly Kurdish-held territory deeper east of the Euphrates.
Associated Press writer Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report.
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