Syrian army forces gained access to Raqqa city from the west, while convoys of military police and internal security arrived at the outskirts in preparation for entering and securing public institutions between 2:16 PM and 2:45 PM UTC on January 18, 2026, according to BarracudaVol1 and Damas Post on X. Media close to the SDF reported that the Kurdish-led force reached an agreement with Damascus to halt ongoing clashes, as stated by RudawEnglish on X. Raqqa_SL on X reported 20 martyrs as a result of sniper operations by SDF remnants in Raqqa. Zaino Yasser Mahamid shared video of a civilian sniper operation near Al-Shabiba on Telegram. Forces liberated detainees, including children under nine years old, from Raqqa Women’s Prison, according to obretix on X, who provided geolocation coordinates. In Hasakah, the Qana Village checkpoint was liberated, placing forces 15 kilometers from Hasakah city, per Al7khalidi on X. Omar Alharir on X identified two SDF and PKK affiliates, Serbest Abdo and Ciwan Berxwedan, disguising themselves in press attire for military activities. Myles Caggins, quoted by Vvanwilgenburg on X, anticipated a joint statement from President Sharaa and General Mazloum on unity, territorial control, minority protection, and military integration. SimNasr on X recounted telling the French Senate that SDF-controlled areas are majority Arab. These developments follow Syrian army forces reaching Hawi al-Hawa on Raqqa's western outskirts earlier between 1:46 PM and 2:15 PM UTC, preparing entry, as previously reported.
