SDF forces confirmed violent clashes ongoing in Ghranij, Abu Hammam, Keshkiye, Dhiban, and Tiyana towns in Deir ez-Zor countryside after factions affiliated with the Damascus government attacked their positions between 1:16 AM and 1:45 AM UTC on January 18, 2026, according to an SDF statement shared by Vvanwilgenburg on X. Tribal forces showed mobility in al-Kishkiye in Deir ez-Zor countryside and cleared the water treatment facility and surroundings of PKK/SDF presence during the period, per Bedbolukbasi on X. SyrianFactCheck on X reported the Deir ez-Zor countryside almost completely out of SDF control, with army and clan forces approaching Koniko base, SDF forces besieged without supplies, and tribal forces setting up ambushes and checkpoints for fleeing SDF fighters. BarracudaVol1 on X stated PKK terrorists blew up the New Bridge to prevent Syrian army advances toward Raqqa, correcting that the old bridge was previously destroyed and the new one mined. These clashes follow Syrian army entry into Hasham east of the Euphrates and tribal reinforcements to Muhaymida in the prior reporting window, as previously reported. Separately, Syr_television reported Al-Sharaa inviting Abdi to a meeting in Damascus with the American envoy in a live broadcast during the period.
