Syrian army forces and SDF clashed violently with machine guns in Tabqa city's neighborhoods between 8:16 PM and 8:45 PM UTC on January 17, 2026, according to Nahr Media's correspondent reporting ongoing fighting, while SDF members fled the city via the Tabqa dam toward the east of the Euphrates, as stated by Zaino Yasser Mahameed and BarracudaVol1 on X. Zaino Yasser Mahameed reported SDF gangs escaping from Tabqa via the dam, corroborated by Wolveri07681751 noting some SDF members fled the city. NAYA reported Al-Julani gangs targeting SDF positions with rocket launchers in Tabqa city amid violent clashes on the outskirts during the period. Arab tribes announced control over Suwaidan Jazira town in Deir Ezzor eastern countryside, per رؤى لدراسات الحرب on X within the window. These developments follow Syrian army seizures of Ayed prison southwest of Tabqa and liberation of Al-Zwaiqat neighborhood earlier between 7:46 PM and 8:15 PM UTC on January 17, as previously reported citing Raqqa_SL and BarracudaVol1 on X.
