Overview
- State outlets reported the Syrian army captured Tabqa city west of Raqqa and took control of the country’s largest hydroelectric facility at the Euphrates (Tabqa/Al‑Thawra) dam.
- Fighting continued in sectors of Raqqa, Deir ez‑Zor and eastern Aleppo, with both the army and the SDF reporting fatalities and trading accusations over violated withdrawal terms and local security measures.
- Syria’s information minister said an important statement is expected on a ceasefire and the full integration of the SDF into state institutions, while Kurdish media reported SDF commander Mazloum Abdi traveled to Damascus.
- Syrian media said President Ahmad al‑Shar hosted U.S. envoy Tom Brack and invited SDF leadership to talks, as U.S. CENTCOM urged a halt to offensive operations between Aleppo and Tabqa and European and regional figures called for de‑escalation.
- The UAE advanced parallel diplomatic and soft‑power initiatives, sending a 100‑plus delegation to Davos led by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, chairing an Arab electronic‑media meeting in Cairo, launching a National Identity Caravan in Al Dhafra, and pursuing expanded trade ties with Cameroon after non‑oil commerce topped $1.24 billion in 2024.