Syrian Army advances to Raqqa border as SDF retreats

WISE NEWS PRESS / RAQQA, SYRIA

The Syrian Army has reached the outskirts of Raqqa after capturing key strategic locations from the SDF to push the terrorist organization’s elements east of the Euphrates River. Following the capture of Al-Jarrah Military Airport and Maskanah, high-level PKK leaders reportedly arrived in Tabqa while a significant US-SDF meeting took place in Erbil.

Military advances and strategic shifts

In an effort to drive SDF forces from the west bank of the Euphrates, the Syrian Army seized control of Al-Jarrah Military Airport, Maskanah, and the Dibsi Afnan district near the Raqqa city border. During the retreat from Maskanah, SDF elements reportedly set fire to public buildings, while Syrian troops fortified positions in southwest Raqqa. The Syrian state news agency, SANA, reported that SDF forces attempted to block the advance by mining the Shuaib ez-Zikr Bridge, a move the army warned could lead to "grave consequences."

High-level PKK mobilization in Tabqa

The Syrian Army's Operations Department announced that forces are now advancing toward the strategically vital city of Tabqa. Reports indicate that high-ranking PKK figures, including Mihraç Ural and Fehman Hüseyin (codenamed "Bahoz Erdal"), have arrived in Tabqa to coordinate SDF elements. Consequently, the Syrian military has declared the region west of the Euphrates a "closed military zone" as they increase their troop yığınak (deployment) to secure captured territory.

US-PKK meeting in Erbil

Amid the escalating battlefield tensions, SDF leader Mazlum Abdi met with Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria, at the Rotana Hotel in Erbil. The meeting was reportedly organized through the mediation of Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Attendees included prominent figures such as Mesut Barzani, Mesrur Barzani, and SDF leaders Ilham Ahmed and Rohat Afrin. This diplomatic engagement occurs just as the Syrian Army continues its sweep of the countryside, having captured 34 towns in the Aleppo region since January 7.

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