Syrian locals in Raqqa clash with SDF

This short clip shows civilians in Raqqa taking up arms against elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led, US-backed coalition of militants. Although the SDF have historically enjoyed US support in their fight against militant Jihadist factions, there have been accusations of Human Rights violations levied at the SDF- including for the displacement and detainment of thousands of people for suspected Islamic State affiliation- which have won scant sympathy for them among the Arab majority. As the primarily Arab population of Raqqa began pushing back against the SDF presence on January 18, 2026, the Syrian military was ringing the city.

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