Syrian government seizes strategic town and oil fields from Kurdish forces in ongoing push eastward

1 / 5

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

A Syrian government soldier walks at al-Thawra oil field after government troops took control of it from the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) during an ongoing push against Kurdish-led forces, in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)