Syrian Army Seizes Tabqa and Strategic Dams; U.S. Intervenes to Halt Clashes with Kurdish Forces

The Syrian Army has made significant territorial gains in Kurdish-held areas, capturing the strategic city of Tabqa, its vital dam, and the Al-Hurriya dam, along with key oil fields like Rusafa and Safyan. While Arab residents in towns like Deir Hafer welcomed the government troops, the Kurdish-led SDF accused Damascus of violating withdrawal agreements by pushing further east. The clashes have resulted in casualties on both sides, marking a serious escalation in northern Syria.

The U.S. has urged the Syrian Army to halt hostilities, with Central Command calling for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack traveled to Erbil to meet with Mazloum Abdi and Masoud Barzani in a bid to de-escalate tensions. This standoff highlights the growing friction between President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s administration, which aims to reunify the country, and Kurdish regional authorities who remain wary of the new government’s centralizing goals.