Daijiworld Media Network – Damascus

Damascus, Jan 18: The Syrian army continued its push into Kurdish-held territory on Saturday, seizing the northern city of Tabqa and key dams, despite repeated calls by the United States to halt its advance in northern Syria.

State media reported that Syrian troops also captured the Freedom Dam (formerly Baath Dam) west of Raqqa, while Syrian Kurdish authorities have yet to formally acknowledge the loss. Residents in some areas welcomed the army’s entry, citing exhaustion from years of conflict.

The clashes follow days of tension along the Euphrates River, where Syrian troops demanded the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from western river towns. While the SDF initially withdrew from some villages as a goodwill gesture, they accused the Syrian army of violating the withdrawal agreement by advancing into additional towns and oilfields.

The Syrian Petroleum Company confirmed that nearby oilfields at Rasafa and Sufyan are now under government control and can be brought back online. However, the SDF retains control over major oilfields further east. Both sides reported casualties in the clashes, though exact numbers remain unclear.

The U.S. has deployed coalition planes over the flashpoint areas, releasing warning flares, while envoy Tom Barrack visited Erbil in northern Iraq to mediate between the Syrian government and Kurdish authorities.

The ongoing violence underscores the fragile balance in Syria, as President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to reunify the country while Kurdish forces remain wary of Damascus’ Islamist-led administration. Tensions have been fueled by previous sectarian violence that left thousands dead in different parts of Syria.