Syria Daily News Briefing for 2026-01-18

Processed 221 posts from 31 sources

• 🎤 A ceasefire agreement was signed in Syria between the government and the SDF, including the full integration of the SDF into state institutions, complete handover of military and civil affairs in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor to the government, merging of civil institutions in Hasakah, guaranteed Kurdish rights, settlement of Afrin and Sheikh Maqsoud residents’ status, and addressing ISIS detainees. Widespread public celebrations accompanied the agreement, with army deployment, restoration of government institutions, and official statements emphasizing Syria’s unity. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6], [Source 7], [Source 8], [Source 9], [Source 10], [Source 11], [Source 12], [Source 13], [Source 14], [Source 15], [Source 16], [Source 17], [Source 18], [Source 19], [Source 20], [Source 21], [Source 22], [Source 23], [Source 24], [Source 25], [Source 26], [Source 27], [Source 28], [Source 29], [Source 30], [Source 31], [Source 32], [Source 33], [Source 34], [Source 35], [Source 36], [Source 37], [Source 38], [Source 39], [Source 40], [Source 41], [Source 42], [Source 43], [Source 44], [Source 45], [Source 46], [Source 47], [Source 48], [Source 49], [Source 50], [Source 51], [Source 52], [Source 53], [Source 54], [Source 55], [Source 56], [Source 57], [Source 58], [Source 59], [Source 60], [Source 61], [Source 62], [Source 63], [Source 64], [Source 65], [Source 66]
• ⚔️ Footage shows SDF elements fleeing from Panorama roundabout in rural Deir Ezzor, abandoning their weapons. - [Source]
• ⚔️ The Syrian government condemned the execution of prisoners and civilians in Tabqa by the SDF and PKK after their withdrawal, classified it as a war crime, and affirmed international legal pursuit. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
• ⚔️ War remnants removal teams destroyed unexploded ordnance in Maskanah, Aleppo countryside, to ensure civilian safety. - [Source]
• ⚔️ The Syrian Army entered Tabqa city, secured it along with the Euphrates Dam and Tabqa military airport, amid public celebration and the deployment of internal security. Institutions resumed work, mines were cleared, and the city was purged of SDF/PKK explosives and tunnels. SDF elements either surrendered or fled. Former prison sites and mass executions by SDF were revealed, which the government condemned, urging quick action on tunnel threats. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6], [Source 7], [Source 8], [Source 9], [Source 10], [Source 11], [Source 12], [Source 13], [Source 14], [Source 15], [Source 16], [Source 17], [Source 18], [Source 19]
• 🚨 The SDF targeted Saif al-Dawla district in Raqqa with rockets, resulting in civilian casualties; sniper incidents and deaths occurred in Wadi Street and al-Naeem Roundabout. A suicide drone attack took place in Mayadin, with reports of freed detainees and discovered SDF prisons. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6]
• ⚔️ Photos and footage show SDF checkpoints, Syrian army roadblocks, and life returning to liberated cities like Al-Jami’ Al-Kabir in Raqqa and Tabqa airport, as well as markets and mosques where residents celebrated after liberation. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6], [Source 7], [Source 8], [Source 9], [Source 10], [Source 11]
• 🏛️ President Ahmad Al-Shara met US special envoy Thomas Barak in Damascus with the Foreign Minister to discuss economic cooperation, regional developments, and affirm Syria’s unity and counter-terrorism efforts. - [Source]
• 🏢 The Syrian Army regained full control of the Euphrates Dam, reactivated its hydroelectric station and the Mansoura Dam station west of Raqqa, enabling gradual restoration of vital services and boosting the national power grid. Control was also announced over the towns of Ratleh and Hammam, with forces nearing Raqqa’s western entrance. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6], [Source 7], [Source 8]
• 💰 The Central Bank of Syria released the official bulletin for Syrian pound exchange rates. - [Source]