Politics & Government
Syrian Army Captures Tabqa, President to Meet SDF Chief for Ceasefire
AI Summary
After the Syrian army took control of Tabqa on January 18, 2026, locals destroyed an SDF fighter statue. President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet SDF leader Mazloum Abdi to finalize a ceasefire and bring Kurdish authorities under central government control.
On January 18, 2026, the Syrian army took control of the strategic city of Tabqa. Following the takeover, local civilians gathered and smashed a statue of a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter, symbolizing public reaction to the government’s return.
Meanwhile, Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet Mazloum Abdi, the head of the SDF, to consolidate a ceasefire after days of heavy battles. The offensive saw Syrian army units and government-allied tribal forces sweep across northern Syria from Aleppo to Raqqa, reclaiming large areas previously under SDF control.
The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday but postponed to Monday due to bad weather, follows a dramatic escalation in the region. The SDF has agreed to a truce and a broad settlement that brings Kurdish civilian and military authorities under central state control.
Analysts say the ceasefire talks aim to stabilize the northeast, prevent further clashes, and integrate Kurdish-controlled areas into the Syrian government framework. Residents of these areas, who have experienced weeks of conflict, are now closely watching how the agreement will be implemented and whether it will hold in the coming weeks.
Details: By Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies
Image: [Karam al-Masri/Reuters]