Hardline SDF-YPG fighters and ex-regime remnants killed three Syrian Arab Army soldiers and injured others in two attacks targeting deployed forces in areas formerly held by SDF north of Raqqa city between 11:16 AM and 11:45 AM UTC on January 19, 2026, according to the Syrian Arab Army's Operations Authority, as reported by QalaatAlMudiq on X. The Operations Authority stated that terrorist groups from the PKK organization and remnants of the former regime are trying to disrupt the implementation of the agreement by targeting Syrian Arab Army forces, announcing the martyrdom of three soldiers after the two targeting operations during this 29-minute period. Civil Defense teams, formerly known as White Helmets, returned to Tabqa city and are set to arrive soon in Raqqa after more than a decade, with all local firefighting and Civil Defense personnel who served in SDF-held areas called to remain at their posts, per QalaatAlMudiq on X. Celebrations occurred tonight in Raqqa following the city coming under government control, according to the same source. These attacks follow Syrian security forces' negotiations with PKK snipers at Katan Prison north of Raqqa earlier this morning, where the snipers released 12 detainees and fled, as previously reported citing DeirEzzore on X.
