The Syrian army has achieved significant progress in military operations aimed at clearing the western bank of the Euphrates River of YPG terrorist elements. According to official reports, army forces have advanced to within 5 kilometers of the Raqqa city center and liberated the strategically important Tabqa city. Simultaneously, it was reported that the Tabqa Dam, a vital infrastructure facility in the region, has been brought under full control.
The Syrian government stated that YPG forces committed serious crimes while retreating from Tabqa. According to the information, the terrorists executed prisoners in the jail before withdrawing and blew up the Old Bridge along with the main pipelines supplying Raqqa with water. Official Damascus has characterized these actions as war crimes violating the Geneva Conventions and called on the international community to react strongly to these events.
Other key points regarding the progress of the military operations include:
- The settlements of Deir Hafer and Maskana in eastern Aleppo have been taken under control;
- 34 villages around Aleppo have been cleared of terrorist groups;
- Jirah Military Airport and Al-Mansour Dam were captured by the army;
- 64 YPG members surrounded in the Mansoura region laid down their arms and surrendered.
The operation, which began on January 16, continues as army forces consolidate their positions in the southwestern direction of the Raqqa province. Reports indicate that terrorists are leaving the region in convoys. The liberation of Tabqa and its dam is considered a turning point in the conflict, as the dam is the largest of its kind in the country, providing essential hydroelectric power and irrigation for the surrounding agricultural heartlands. Historically, control over such infrastructure has been a primary objective for all factions involved in the regional conflict due to its immense economic and tactical value.
