Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and YPG militants killed more than 300 people, mostly civilians from the Baggara tribe in Asherah and Tel Mecdal villages, in Al-Hasakah countryside and Jabal Abdul Aziz between 7:46 PM and 8:15 PM UTC on January 18, 2026, according to reports from Qanat Akhbar Daraa on X. Locals called on Syrian forces and General Security to intervene immediately against SDF/YPG crimes. YPG forces retook Al-Shaddadi housing and prepared to raid Makrum village, per the same source. An X post from SimNasr reported an almost simultaneous ambush against Syrian army units in Raqqa city and attacks on Baggara tribe members in Hasakah, aimed at derailing the ceasefire agreement signed earlier on January 18. Nearly 100 people were killed or wounded by SDF sniper fire in Raqqa today, according to Raqqa_SL on X. Over 40 Syrian government and tribal fighters have been confirmed killed in battles against SDF-YPG over the past 36 hours, including several commanders in drone strikes, as stated by GregoryPWaters on X. Senior Kurdish commander Sipan Hamo told Reuters that Syrian Kurds face rising threats and seek reliable partners, expressing hope for Israeli support similar to its actions protecting Druze areas last summer. Former YPG spokesman Mustafa Bali expressed disappointment with Israel over current events, per clashreport on X.
