The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) repelled an infiltration attempt by factions affiliated with the Damascus government on the axis of Zubaida village in the southern countryside of Deir Hafer between 11:46 PM UTC on January 13 and 12:45 AM UTC on January 14, 2026, forcing the attackers to retreat, according to the SDF's official X account @SDF_Syria. An informed source told the verification platform cited by @syrianFactCheck on X that final negotiations are underway for the SDF to hand over Deir Hafer and Maskanah without fighting over the past hour. The SDF offered to relinquish Deir Hafer without a broader settlement to shield the Raqqa countryside from attacks and requested guarantees against strikes on Jazira areas afterward, but all requests have been rejected so far. Failure of talks would prompt a Syrian army military entry. These events follow SDF targeting of Hamima village with suicide aircraft and clashes on the Deir Hafer axis reported between 10:45 PM and 11:45 PM UTC on January 13 by @Raqqa_SL and @Roaastudies on X, amid ongoing force amassments noted by @Elizrael.
