The Syrian army’s Operations Command warned civilians in the provinces of Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and eastern Aleppo on Wednesday against entering Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sites or tunnels, alleging the areas have been heavily booby-trapped. It includes the withdrawal of all SDF military formations to the east of the Euphrates River as a preliminary step for redeployment. Under the terms, the Syrian government is to receive full and immediate administrative and military control of the Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces. The agreement also provides for the integration of all civilian institutions in Hasakah province into Syrian state structures and gives the government control over all border crossings and oil and gas fields in the region. Separately, the SDF on Wednesday denied what it termed “misleading claims” regarding an explosion in the Tel Kojer/Al-Ya’rubiyah area.

Source: Daily News Egypt January 21, 2026 17:56 UTC