SDF snipers killed more than ten people in Raqqa city neighborhoods while PKK armored vehicles fired on civilians, prompting clashes near Al-Jazra Junction and the 17th Division line between 1:16 PM and 1:45 PM UTC on January 18, 2026, as Abdul Hamid al-Mahbash, head of the Syria Future Party and co-chair of the SDF negotiating delegation, defected from the group, according to Raqqa_SL, omar_alharir, DeirEzzor24, and Levant_24_ on X. Al-Mahbash announced his defection from the SDF and PKK ranks, per DeirEzzore on X. Videos showed civilians injured by PKK sniper fire and direct gunfire from armored vehicles in Raqqa, as posted by omar_alharir. Clashes erupted in northern Raqqa neighborhoods along the 17th Division line between tribal forces and YPG, according to hakikatsizler on X. Syrian army reinforcements moved toward Raqqa city for takeover, with Zaino Yasser Mahamid reporting the opening and complete release of the women's prison on Telegram. Security forces dismantled SDF-planted IEDs and booby traps in Tabqa after completing its capture overnight, per QalaatAlMudiq on X. Nahr Media documented Syrian army control of the Al-Jufra oil field. An informed source told syrianFactCheck on X of marches toward Ain al-Arab from all axes and an imminent announcement of entering Raqqa, delayed for political reasons related to SDF's bloodless handover offer, with advances also on Tal Abyad and Tishreen Dam axes. North Press sources reported an expected Syrian government announcement on the SDF's fate, according to vvanwilgenburg on X. These events build on prior clashes at Al-Jazra Junction and tribal captures north of Raqqa.
