Syrian Arab Army special forces seized the Shuaib al-Zikr Bridge west of Raqqa city between 1:16 PM and 1:45 PM UTC on January 17, 2026, surprising PKK militia and preventing them from blowing it up, according to the army's Operations Authority reported by الإخبارية السورية. The SDF Media Center stated its forces are engaged in violent clashes with Damascus government-affiliated factions in the Al-Thawra field area south of Tabqa, outside the scope of a signed agreement. The Operations Authority called on SDF leadership to withdraw completely east of the Euphrates and evacuate Tabqa of military presence, per a statement shared by AlekhbariahSY on X during the 29-minute window. Arab tribes and clans in Al-Hasakah Governorate issued a statement urging tribesmen to defect from SDF militias, support the Syrian state, and restrict weapons to the official military, as posted by omar_alharir on X. Sheikh Faisal Al-Ziyyat of the Al-Mushahada tribe called on tribal members to stand with the Syrian government, according to Al7khalidi on X. The Syrian army established a contact channel for YPG defectors, per mintelworld on X. Reuters reported international coalition fighters flying over northern Syria clash areas and firing warning flares, as cited by Syria TV. Turkish aircraft flew over Deir Ezzor skies, according to مراسل الشرقية. Clashes occurred in Debssi involving former Assad militiamen left behind YPG lines, per SimNasr on X. A photo from Al-Ghanim Ali town showed SDF presence with a Kurdish Zagros rifle, posted by المرصد الحربي-قسد.
