The Syrian Arab Army has made significant advances into Syria’s north, seizing control of Kurdish-held territories in Raqqa province.
These advances mark a significant retreat for Kurdish-led forces, who have held effective autonomy in the Raqqa province for more than a decade.
Seizing Strategic Sites
According to the official SANA news agency, the Syrian army on Sunday announced taking full control of the strategic city of Tabqa, its military airport, and the Euphrates Dam, expelling Kurdish fighters from the area.
Moreover, the Syrian government forces seized the Omar oil field, Syria’s largest, and the Conoco gas field in the country’s east, Reuters reported citing three security sources.
On Saturday, the Syrian troops took control of the Mansoura Dam (formerly al-Baath Dam) and the towns of Ratla and al-Hammam in the Raqqa countryside, advancing towards the western entrance to the city of Raqqa in the country’s north.
Last week, government troops drove Kurdish forces from two Aleppo neighborhoods – Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh – and on Saturday took control of an area east of the city.
Advancing to North
For several days, Syrian government forces massed near a cluster of villages west of the Euphrates, demanding that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) relocate to the river’s eastern bank, according to Reuters.
While the SDF initially withdrew early Saturday as a sign of goodwill, they have since accused Damascus of “betrayal.” The SDF claims Syrian troops violated the agreement by surging beyond the agreed-upon lines to seize additional towns and strategic oilfields.
After the SDF withdrew on Saturday, Syrian troops moved into the main town of Deir Hafer and some surrounding villages in eastern Aleppo.
The Syrian Petroleum Company said that Syrian troops seized the nearby oilfields of Rasafa and Sufyan and could now resume operations.
The government moves followed a decree by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa declaring Kurdish a “national language” and granting the minority group official recognition and citizenship.
They also came after the implementation of the March 10th agreement to integrate the SDF into the state reached a deadlock.
Explosions in Raqqa
The Syrian government accused the SDF of blowing up two bridges over the Euphrates in Raqqa city, which lies on the eastern bank of the river.
The Raqqa Media Directorate said that the main pipelines supplying Raqqa were destroyed after the SDF detonated the Old Bridge and the New al-Rashid Bridge, resulting in a complete cutoff of Raqqa city’s water supply, according to SANA.
US Reaction
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday urged Syrian government forces to halt offensive actions in the areas between Aleppo and Tabqa. Washington has been a steadfast supporter of the Kurdish forces, but has also backed Syria’s new government.
In a statement on X, CENTCOM Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, said: “We welcome ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation and pursue resolution through dialogue. We also urge Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa.”
