The United States commended the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces for reaching a ceasefire agreement today, while Syrian government security forces began entering Raqqa city between 4:46 PM and 5:15 PM UTC on January 18, 2026, to prevent a power vacuum amid ongoing clashes with remaining SDF-YPG fighters including snipers, according to a statement from USAMBTurkiye on X and QalaatAlMudiq on X. The US statement praised President al-Sharaa and SDF leaders for partnering toward a unified Syria, affirming Kurds as integral to the country and supporting their integration into state institutions alongside the Global Coalition against ISIS, as posted by USAMBTurkiye. It noted the agreement paves the way for renewed dialogue and counter-ISIS cooperation under President Trump's Middle East Peace Plan. QalaatAlMudiq reported that Defense Ministry troops are spearheading clearing operations in Raqqa, where groups of SDF-YPG fighters remain inside the city. Separate reports indicated ceasefire violations near Tishrin, including four shots fired at Syriatell hill and shots at AluĹź village, according to BarracudaVol1 on X. These developments follow the emergence of 14-point ceasefire details earlier on January 18, including SDF integration into the Defense Ministry, handover of oil fields and Raqqa province, and expulsion of PKK members, as previously reported by QalaatAlMudiq. Syrian army forces had entered Raqqa city center earlier in the day after YPG attacks, per prior accounts from SANA and mintelworld.
