19.01.2026 13:01
The operation initiated by the Syrian army on the evening of January 16, which expanded with the support of tribes, resulted in the withdrawal of the YPG/SDF from the occupied areas and a ceasefire agreement leading to full integration. In this operation, the importance of Cihad Isa al-Sheikh, an advisor to President Ahmed Shara, was significant in the tribes' shift towards the Damascus government. Following Cihad Isa al-Sheikh's post of "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim," the tribes mobilized, and the Syrian army achieved significant gains against the SDF.
The operation launched by the Syrian army in the areas occupied by the terrorist organization YPG/SDG west of the Euphrates River concluded with an agreement after 44 hours.
IT STARTED WITH ATTACKS ON ALEPPO The groundwork for the process leading to the "New Syria" was laid by the terrorist organization's attacks on civilian residential areas in Aleppo. Due to the attacks carried out by the terrorist organization on civilian settlements in Aleppo, the Syrian army initiated an operation on January 8, which lasted approximately 2 days, and gained control in the neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo.
ON JANUARY 13, THE WEST OF THE EUPHRATES WAS DECLARED A MILITARY AREA Following the terrorist organization's attacks on civilian settlements in Aleppo using kamikaze drones and its military buildup in the region, the Syrian army declared the areas of Deyr Hafir and Meskene, located west of the Euphrates River, as military zones on January 13. Despite the obstructions from YPG/SDG elements, more than 27,000 civilians in the region, especially in Deyr Hafir, were temporarily evacuated thanks to a 2-day humanitarian corridor opened by the Syrian army.
OPERATION STARTED ON JANUARY 16 The Syrian army announced on January 16 around 22:00 local time that it had launched an operation in the occupied areas west of the Euphrates River. Less than 24 hours after the operation began, on January 17, the Syrian army regained control of the Deyr Hafir and Meskene regions from the terrorist organization. After regaining Deyr Hafir and Meskene, the Syrian army expanded the operation towards the Tabqa region, also located west of the Euphrates River.
ON JANUARY 17, THE SYRIAN ARMY REACHED RAQQA On January 17, the army declared a new military zone to reach the zero point of Raqqa city center, which is occupied by YPG/SDG, located east of the Euphrates River, signaling the expansion of the operation. Following this development, on the evening of the same day, Syrian forces reached within 5 kilometers of the entrance to Raqqa city center. After Deyr Hafir and Meskene, control of the strategically important Tabqa city, located west of the Euphrates River, passed to the Syrian army on the morning of January 18.
TRIBES AND LOCAL PEOPLE SUPPORTED THE OPERATIONS After control passed from the terrorist organization to the Syrian army in Deyr Hafir, Meskene, and Tabqa, tribes and local people in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa also revolted against the terrorist organization and participated in the operations. The tribes completely cleared Deir ez-Zor province, located east of the Euphrates River, from the organization on January 18, taking control of the region.
Additionally, the tribes reclaimed the area containing the Omar Oil Field, one of Syria's largest energy centers, and the Kuniko Natural Gas Field from the terrorist organization on January 18.
Following Deir ez-Zor, the tribes and local people in Raqqa also began to fight against the terrorist organization. On January 18, the tribes and local people largely liberated Raqqa city center from the terrorist organization.
Snipers affiliated with the terrorist organization opened fire on civilians celebrating the significant control achieved in the city. In the attacks, at least 4 civilians were killed, and many others were injured.
THE SYRIAN ARMY CROSSED TO THE EAST OF THE EUPHRATES After the tribes and local people revolted in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, securing control in the city centers, the Syrian army also began to cross to the east of the Euphrates River on January 18.
Army units entered the Raqqa city center, where the tribes and people had largely secured control, in the evening hours.
Additionally, on January 18, the Syrian army opened two fronts towards the rural areas of Raqqa and Hasakah from the Tel Abyad region on the Turkish border.
With these operations, control in many areas long occupied by the terrorist organization, especially in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Deyr Hafir, passed to the Syrian administration.
TRIBES REVOLTED AFTER "BISMILLAHIRRAHMANIRRAHIM" POSTING In the historic developments taking place in Syria, a notable figure emerged in the gains achieved by the Damascus government. Cihad Isa al-Sheikh, the advisor responsible for tribes to Syrian President Ahmed Shara, made a move that changed the balance on the ground.
On Friday, January 17, at 20:39, Cihad Isa al-Sheikh made a post on X account containing the phrase "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim." Following this post, the tribes mobilized, and a comprehensive operation was launched against the SDG in collaboration with the Syrian army. The SDG suffered a heavy blow in the operations.
It is known that al-Sheikh played a key role in the removal of the SDG from the neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Beni Zayd in Aleppo. It is emphasized that al-Sheikh's influence was decisive in the effective involvement of the tribes in the coordination on the ground.
THE OPERATION ENDED WITH A CEASEFIRE AND FULL INTEGRATION AGREEMENT The Syrian army's operation, which lasted approximately 44 hours, concluded with a Ceasefire and Full Integration Agreement signed between the Damascus administration and YPG/SDG.
In a written statement made by the Damascus administration on January 18 at 18:00 local time, it was announced that Syrian President Ahmed Shara signed an agreement with the terrorist organization YPG/SDG that includes a ceasefire and the full integration of the organization.
With the agreement, a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire will be declared between Syrian forces and YPG/SDG on all fronts and contact lines, all members of the organization will withdraw to the east of the Euphrates, the administrative and military control of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces will be immediately and completely transferred to the Syrian government, and all civilian institutions in Hasakah province under the organization's occupation will be integrated into Syrian state institutions and administrative structures. According to the agreement, all energy resources and border gates will come under state control, and YPG/SDG elements will be transferred to the ranks of Syrian security forces. In other words, the SDF will technically be dissolved. Heavily armed YPG/SDG elements in Ayn al-Arab will be disbanded, and a security force will be established from local residents under the Ministry of Interior of Syria. This will also be under the Ministry of Interior of Syria. The agreement also states that all non-Syrian members of the PKK will be expelled from the country, and the terrorist organization ISIS camps under the control of YPG/SDG will be transferred to the Syrian administration. CONTROL HAS ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED AT TİRŞİN DAM After the agreement, operations on the front line have ended, and calm generally prevails in the region. On the other hand, the Syrian army recently took over the Tişrin Dam southwest of Manbij this morning without any conflict.