Syrian army forces advanced to within 5 kilometers of Raqqa city center between 6:15 AM and 7:15 AM UTC on January 18, 2026, according to Wolveri07681751 on X. Over the same period, Arab tribal fighters took control of most towns in the Deir Ezzor countryside, including around 42 cities and towns, the Conoco gas field, Al-Jafra oil field, Tank Oil Field, the 1st Brigade headquarters, and the strategic towns of Al-Shuhayl and Al-Basirah, after expelling PKK militias, as reported by omar_alharir on X. Fighting continues to advance, shown in a video released by a Syrian army commander from Al-Shuhayl. These developments follow the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) explosion of the new Al-Rashid bridge in Raqqa city between 4:15 AM and 5:15 AM UTC earlier today to hinder Syrian army advances, according to the Raqqa Media Directorate as reported by syr_television on X. Ongoing clashes between SDF and government-affiliated factions continue in Deir ez-Zor countryside towns including Ghranij, Abu Hammam, Keshkiye, Dhiban, and Tiyana, as confirmed by an SDF statement shared by Vvanwilgenburg on X earlier on January 18.
