The Syrian army took control of the west bank of the Euphrates River after capturing the city of Tabqa (western Raqqa Governorate, northern Syria) and the Euphrates Dam southwest of Raqqa, following several hours of clashes at dawn on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Enab Baladi’s correspondent, who is covering the operation in the vicinity of Raqqa, reported that the army had taken control of Tabqa, citing a military source involved in the operation.
Syrian army forces did not enter Raqqa city or cross to the eastern bank of the Euphrates, limiting their advance to the river’s western bank.
Meanwhile, tribal forces are launching attacks east of the Euphrates in Deir Ezzor (eastern Syria), without official intervention by the army.
The move in Tabqa came only hours after the army said it had taken control of Tabqa Military Airbase and “expelled what it called ‘PKK terrorist militias’”, referring to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Tabqa is considered one of the SDF’s key strongholds. It lies about 55 kilometers from Raqqa city and about 165 kilometers from Aleppo (northern Syria).
The Euphrates Dam is also among the most important dams in Syria, supplying electricity to the region and regulating irrigation networks.
Despite the SDF’s denial that the army had taken control of al-Mansoura, al-Ikhbariya aired a video it said was filmed from inside the town, which borders Tabqa.
Earlier on Saturday evening, the army took control of al-Mansoura Dam (formerly al-Baath), as well as the towns of Ratla and al-Hamam in the Raqqa countryside. This brought its forces to within less than five kilometers of Raqqa’s western entrance.
The army also took control of the villages and towns of al-Akirshiyah and al-Shanan.
This advance came from Deir Hafir (eastern Aleppo countryside, northern Syria), extending through Maskanah (eastern Aleppo Governorate) and toward towns, villages, and cities in the Raqqa countryside.
In the same context, the Ministry of Defense’s Media Administration said it has been in contact with 483 SDF fighters through phone numbers it previously published to coordinate defections, adding that secured the defection of 181.
The operation began several days ago and initially aimed to seize Deir Hafir. On Jan. 17, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced the withdrawal of his forces to east of the Euphrates, citing calls from friendly countries and mediators and describing the move as a gesture of good faith to complete the integration process and commit to implementing the March 10 agreement.
According to the agreement Abdi announced, the withdrawal was set to begin at 7:00 a.m. on Jan. 18.
Abdi said the announcement responded to what he described as appeals from friendly countries and mediators, and reflected good faith aimed at completing the integration process and adhering to the March 10 agreement.
In a statement, the Syrian Ministry of Defense welcomed the SDF’s decision to withdraw from contact points west of the Euphrates.
It said it would monitor the withdrawal of all personnel and equipment to east of the Euphrates, alongside the start of Syrian army deployments in the area to secure it and impose state sovereignty, paving the way for residents to return to their homes and villages and for state institutions to resume their work.
Syrian army takes control of west bank of Euphrates Enab Baladi.
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