Raqqa province in northern Syria is now under a partial curfew, announced by the Internal Affairs Authority of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The curfew, effective January 13, 2026, will be enforced daily from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM until further notice.
The SDF cited “public safety requirements and concern for the well-being of residents” as the reason for the measure, warning that violators will be held accountable.
This security measure follows a period of rapid developments on the ground, including the withdrawal of SDF fighters from the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo last Saturday. These forces were reportedly redeployed towards the city of Tabqa in Raqqa, following an agreement with the Syrian Army that permitted their exit towards their strongholds in northeastern Syria.
Recent days witnessed intense clashes between the SDF and Syrian government forces, culminating in the SDF losing control of the Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods. This effectively ended the SDF’s military presence within the city of Aleppo.
Both sides have traded accusations regarding the escalation of the conflict, which began last Tuesday, before the Syrian Army announced full control over the aforementioned neighborhoods.
The SDF currently controls approximately one-third of Syrian territory, primarily east of the Euphrates River. This region encompasses key energy resources, agricultural lands, and strategic dams, including the Tabqa and Baath dams in Raqqa province, and the Tishrin Dam in Aleppo province.
