Alpha News

Battles Rage in Northern Syria

Published January 18, 2026, 11:29

Heavy fighting is ongoing in northern Syria, with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) blowing up two bridges over the Euphrates River in an attempt to isolate Syrian army forces advancing towards Raqqa. The Syrian army has already taken control of the Takba military airport and the “Freedom” dam west of Raqqa. This advance is happening despite calls from the US for the Syrian army to halt its expansion into areas under Kurdish control. Simultaneously, the US launched an attack in northwestern Syria, killing a leader linked to Al-Qaeda, in retaliation for an attack that cost the lives of three Americans in December.