Syrian Army Seizes Oil Fields from SDF Near al-Tabqah

Government forces seize key energy sites from US-backed SDF amid rising tensions and renewed American threats of sanctions.

Syria | PUREWILAYAH.COM — Syria’s army has taken control of key oil fields near the city of al-Tabqah in the Raqqa district, previously held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), marking a significant step by Damascus to reassert authority over strategic energy assets in northern Syria.

According to Syria’s state-run broadcaster Al-Ekhbariya, interim government forces established control over the Safyan and al-Tharwa oil fields, as well as the strategically vital al-Rusafa junction, a major transport crossroads near al-Tabqah.

Citing a military source, the broadcaster said the takeover followed the deployment of Syrian army units across parts of the Raqqa district earlier on Saturday, areas that had remained under SDF control for years under US protection.

Clashes Resume as Damascus Challenges SDF Control

The seizure comes amid renewed tensions between Damascus and Kurdish-led forces, with clashes resuming last week on the outskirts of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo, shortly after a ceasefire was announced.

Kurdish forces accused the Syrian army of encircling the neighborhoods and preparing an assault using tanks, while Damascus stated that SDF fighters fired on evacuation corridors, undermining ceasefire arrangements.

Following the political transition in Syria in December 2024, the Kurdish-populated districts of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh remained under SDF control. The withdrawal of Kurdish armed groups from those areas began in April under an agreement reached with the Syrian government, though implementation has remained fragile.

The latest seizure of oil infrastructure near al-Tabqah highlights the shifting balance of power in northern Syria, as Damascus moves to reclaim control over energy resources and transport routes long shielded by the US military presence.

Washington Responds With Warnings and Sanctions Threats

As Syrian forces advanced, the United States moved swiftly to issue warnings.

In a statement released on January 17, 2026, US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper called on Syrian government forces to halt operations between Aleppo and al-Tabqah, demanding coordination with US and coalition forces under the pretext of combating ISIS.

“We urge Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqah,” Cooper said, adding that Washington insists on continued US oversight in northern Syria.

Senior American officials have also warned that Caesar Syria “Civilian Protection Act” sanctions could be reimposed if Damascus continues military operations against the SDF, according to The Wall Street Journal.

US officials claimed such operations would fracture Washington’s local partners and threaten the security of detention facilities holding thousands of ISIS prisoners—facilities that remain under SDF control with US backing, rather than Syrian state authority.

US Senator Lindsey Graham echoed those warnings, stating he was “growing increasingly concerned” over what he described as coordination between Damascus and Turkey against Kurdish forces, and threatening “bone-crushing” sanctions should Syrian operations continue.

Damascus Issues Warnings Ahead of Further Operations

Meanwhile, Syrian interim forces issued explicit warnings on Friday ahead of planned strikes on the town of Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo.

In official statements, Syria’s interim Ministry of Defense said it would target specific locations in Deir Hafer that it identified as launch points for what it described as terrorist operations against Aleppo and its eastern countryside, urging civilians to stay away from the area.

The warnings followed days of Syrian army reinforcements deployed around Deir Hafer, after government forces expelled the SDF from Aleppo city last week. Local Syrian sources later reported intense rocket fire targeting SDF positions in and around the town.

As Damascus advances on the ground, Washington continues to respond with sanctions threats and military pressure, underscoring the widening confrontation between Syrian state authority and the US-backed parallel power structure entrenched in northern Syria. (PW)