The Operations Authority of the Syrian Arab Army declared the region west of the Euphrates a closed military zone at around 10:15 AM UTC on January 17, 2026, after the terrorist PKK militia targeted army forces while implementing an agreement, according to statements shared on X by AlekhbariahSY and ivarmm over the past hour from 9:46 AM UTC. The army stated it will continue extending control over areas west of the Euphrates and deal with any targeting of its forces, as announced via AlekhbariahSY and syrianFactCheck. Forces are advancing toward Tabqa without resistance, while SDF militias are on major alert there, per syrianFactCheck. The authority warned that PKK mining of the Shuaib Al-Zikr Bridge in western Raqqa countryside to obstruct the agreement risks serious consequences if detonated. Internal Security forces found weapons and ammunition depots left by PKK militias in Deir Hafir after their flight, according to omar_alharir. The army seized an armored vehicle abandoned by YPG during withdrawal, as reported by mintelworld. Residents of Deir Hafir celebrated the army's entry, per omar_alharir. Syrian army forces made massive deployments across Deir ez-Zor, according to omar_alharir. The SAA plans to target areas from Al-Ghanim Ali to Tabqa for liberation after designating west of the Euphrates a closed military zone, as stated by syrianFactCheck. These developments follow the army's earlier control of Deir Hafir and Maskanah east of Aleppo after SDF withdrawal, as previously announced.
