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Syrian troops seize key oilfield amid Kurdish withdrawal
Syrian government forces have taken control of the Omar oilfield, the country's largest, after Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) retreated from the area, officials and monitors confirmed on Sunday.
Advance follows SDF redeployment
The Syrian army's push eastward came after the SDF announced it would withdraw to areas east of the Euphrates River, following discussions with U.S. officials. The move follows a week of deadly clashes between the two sides.
On Saturday, government troops captured the strategic Tabqa dam on the Euphrates River, along with the nearby town of Tabqa, expanding their control over critical infrastructure.
Oilfield seizure deals economic blow to SDF
The Omar oilfield, a major revenue source for the SDF, fell to Syrian forces early Sunday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Kurdish forces had also abandoned villages and towns in Deir Ezzor province, including the Tanak oilfield.
Syrian authorities accused the SDF of destroying two bridges on the Euphrates, including the al-Rashid bridge in Raqqa, in an apparent effort to slow the army's advance.
Clashes persist despite ceasefire efforts
Last week, at least 12 people were killed in fighting between Syrian troops and the SDF in Aleppo. The violence continues despite U.S. attempts to broker a ceasefire, as Washington maintains support for both the SDF and the Syrian government.
Kurdish rights recognized amid integration push
In a bid to ease tensions, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on Friday formally recognizing Kurdish as a national language and declaring the Kurdish New Year an official holiday. The move marks the first such recognition since Syria's independence in 1946.
Al-Sharaa has sought to integrate Kurdish military and civilian bodies into national institutions since assuming power after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. A March 2025 agreement between the government and the SDF aimed at integration remains unimplemented, with both sides trading blame for the delay.
Background: SDF's control of oil-rich regions
The SDF has controlled large parts of Syria's oil-rich northeast for nearly a decade, territory gained during the fight against the Islamic State group. The loss of the Omar oilfield represents a significant setback for the group's financial stability.
