Syrian security forces deploy in Raqqa as army retakes the city from SDF
Syrian government forces have formally deployed in Raqqa to maintain order after the army retook the strategic city from the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The move follows a mutual understanding with the SDF and a four-day ceasefire, marking a major shift in control of northern Syria.
Syrian internal security forces and military police have officially deployed in the northern city of Raqqa, undertaking stabilization duties after the Syrian Arab Army retook control of the strategic provincial capital. The deployment, reported by state media on Tuesday, marks the formal return of state authority to a city that had been under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) since 2017.
Symbolic Reclamation of the Former Daesh Stronghold
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) released footage showing personnel from the Internal Security Forces and Military Police present in Raqqa, tasked with "maintaining security and stability." The city, which infamously served as the de facto capital of the Daesh terrorist caliphate until 2017, holds immense symbolic and strategic importance. Its return to Syrian government control represents a significant milestone in Damascus's efforts to reassert sovereignty over northeastern territories.
Background of a Swift Military Advance and Diplomatic Deal
The Syrian Army's entry into Raqqa on Monday concluded a rapid military operation that began over the weekend. This advance was quickly followed by a diplomatic arrangement. Early Tuesday, the Syrian presidency announced a "mutual understanding" had been reached with the SDF regarding the future of the broader eastern Hasakah province. Concurrently, the Defense Ministry declared a four-day ceasefire with the SDF, which took effect on Monday evening, suggesting the takeover was part of a negotiated, or at least uncontested, transfer of power rather than a major battle.
The End of an Era for SDF Control in Raqqa
The SDF, with significant U.S. military backing, captured Raqqa from Daesh in a grueling 2017 battle. Its subsequent administration of the city and surrounding province represented the most prominent example of the autonomous governance project it sought to build in northern Syria. The group's withdrawal and the Syrian state's return effectively ends that seven-year period of de facto SDF control, aligning with the broader framework agreement for the group's integration into Syrian state institutions.
A Development Aligning with Türkiye's Core Strategic Goals
For Türkiye, the restoration of Syrian state authority in Raqqa is a profoundly positive development that aligns perfectly with its long-term foreign policy objectives. Türkiye views the SDF as an existential national security threat due to its organic ties to the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. Ankara has consistently argued that U.S. support for the SDF created an illegitimate terrorist entity on its border and undermined Syrian sovereignty. The removal of the SDF from a major city like Raqqa by the legitimate Syrian army is seen in Türkiye as a crucial step toward neutralizing the PKK/YPG threat, restoring Syria's territorial integrity, and creating conditions for the safe return of Syrian refugees. It validates Türkiye's stance that stability in Syria can only be achieved through the central government in Damascus.
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