ISTANBUL

In Syria’s eastern Raqqa province, the city center has largely been liberated from YPG/SDF terrorists following an uprising by the people and some tribes.

Following an uprising against the terrorist organization YPG/SDF, the group’s compounds were stormed, and many strategic points across the provincial capital were brought under control, according to Anadolu sources.

While the YPG/SDF presence in the city center has been largely eliminated, security checkpoints and public buildings have come under official control.

Following the restoration of control in the city, work has begun to reactivate local administrative structures.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba told Syria’s Al-Ikhbariyye channel that the situation in Raqqa is very positive and that the Syrian Army has carried out its duties effectively.

Al-Baba emphasized that the local population has been cooperating closely with government forces, a support that has greatly facilitated field operations.

He noted that units affiliated with the Interior Ministry have been deployed across the city under the leadership of the provincial internal security command established before the conflict. Reinforcement teams from other provinces’ internal security units have also been sent to the area.

Al-Baba described the atmosphere in Tabqa as one of great joy and excitement and said the ministry’s efforts are focused on protecting public and private property, ensuring civilian safety, and facilitating the return of displaced persons.

He added that deployments across the city are expected to be completed within a few hours, and new police stations and security centers will soon be opened.

🛑 The Syrian Arab Army has regained full control of the Tabqa district in Raqqa, Syrian state media report
➡️ Syrian Arab News Agency says terror group YPG/SDF members were removed from the area
➡️ Defense Ministry: 483 members contacted authorities to leave the group; 181… pic.twitter.com/NLkURc1QXw

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 18, 2026

Syrian tribes fully liberate Deir ez-Zor province from YPG/SDF terrorists

Tribal forces, in Syria's Deir ez-Zor have taken control of all areas occupied by the terrorist organization YPG/SDF, liberating the entire province, according to Anadolu reporters on the ground.

The tribal forces, the locals of the region, established control over the entire province as part of their advance against the terror group, which began Saturday evening.

After liberating the southern and central parts of the province, tribal forces expanded their areas of control northward toward Raqqa and Hasakah, largely securing control over the provincial borders.

The settlements of Mheimide, Suwaidan Jazira, Murad, Giranic, Tayyane, Al-Jarzi, Al-Husseiniyah, Halabiye, Al-Baghour, Al-Boubadran, Al-Bahrah, Susah, Abu Hardub, Al-Shenan, Darnaj, Diban, Al-Hawayij, Al Busayrah, Subha, Dehla, Jadid Baggara, Khasham, Mazlum, Al-Hisan, Jafra Field, Huwayij Bumasah, and Sawa in Deir ez-Zor are now under the control of the tribal forces.

According to a statement by the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, local tribes had also liberated the area containing the Omar Oil Field and the Kuniko Gas Field from the terror group

Anadolu team films prison run by YPG/SDF terrorists in Syria's Raqqa province

An Anadolu team has filmed the YPG/SDF terrorist organization's prison in the district of al-Tabqah in Syria's Raqqa province.

Accompanied by Syrian soldiers, the team recorded videos of corridors, wards, cells, and abandoned items inside the prison.

🛑 The Syrian Army has taken full control of the strategic Tabqah district in Raqqa after expelling the YPG/SDF terrorist organization

➡️ Anadolu team filmed a prison previously used by the terrorists

💢 According to SANA news agency, the terrorist organization killed inmates… pic.twitter.com/rEdVDX5IW4

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 18, 2026

Some citizens gathered in front of the prison, waiting to be reunited with their lost relatives.

According to SANA news agency, the terrorist organization killed inmates as it withdrew from al-Tabqah.

The Syrian government has accused the YPG/SDF terror group of committing war crimes in violation of the Geneva Conventions and condemned it in the strongest terms.

Water supply to northern Syria’s Raqqa cut after YPG/SDF group blew up Old Bridge over Euphrates

Water supplies to the city of Raqqa in northern Syria were completely cut on Sunday after the SDF group blew up the Old Bridge over the Euphrates River, according to the Syrian News Agency (SANA).

SANA cited the Raqqa Media Directorate as saying that “water supplies to the city of Raqqa were completely cut off after the SDF blew up the main water pipelines supplying the city, which run along the Old Bridge.”

Later, the group also detonated the New Al-Rashid Bridge in Raqqa, the agency reported.