Syrian government forces take control of Raqqa and Deir al-Zor provinces following SDF withdrawal agreement
Syrian forces deployed in Raqqa and Deir al-Zor on January 19 after an SDF withdrawal deal. This is the largest territorial shift since the 2024 fall of Assad.
Insights:
On January 19, 2026, the Syrian government 
SY consolidated control over northern and eastern territories after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to withdraw from Raqqa province and Deir al-Zor province. This deployment represents the most significant shift in the territorial control map of Syriasince the 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The transition follows a 14-point agreement signed on Sunday, January 18, 2026, by President Ahmed al-Sharaas ahmed al sharaasand SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi mazloum abdiafter days of fighting between the two sides.
SY consolidated control over northern and eastern territories after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to withdraw from Raqqa province and Deir al-Zor province. This deployment represents the most significant shift in the territorial control map of Syriasince the 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The transition follows a 14-point agreement signed on Sunday, January 18, 2026, by President Ahmed al-Sharaas ahmed al sharaasand SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi mazloum abdiafter days of fighting between the two sides.
