The Syrian Democratic Forces launched artillery and rocket strikes against Syrian army positions, escalating clashes amid intensifying fighting in northern and eastern Syria in January 2026. The attacks involved truck-mounted 122 mm howitzers and Grad multiple rocket launchers, signaling a significant use of heavy firepower in the ongoing confrontation.

Footage circulating online shows a 44-second video of the SDF conducting coordinated firings in a desert area near a fenced border. The video captures multiple rocket launches and artillery rounds being fired in rapid succession, underscoring the organized and deliberate nature of the strike. The weapons used are typically associated with conventional battlefield engagements rather than limited skirmishes, reflecting the growing intensity of the conflict.

The strikes come amid renewed clashes following an offensive by Syria’s transitional government against the U.S.-backed SDF earlier this month. Since January 13, fighting has spread across key areas after SDF forces seized strategic oil fields and towns, including al-Tabqa. Control of these assets has long been a central point of contention, given their economic and strategic value.

Both sides have accused each other of violating ceasefire arrangements, with each claiming the other initiated hostilities. The use of rocket artillery by the SDF marks a notable escalation, raising concerns that localized clashes could spiral into broader confrontations involving additional actors operating in the region.

The latest exchange highlights the fragile security environment in Syria, where shifting alliances, contested territory, and unresolved political arrangements continue to fuel instability. As heavy weapons return to the forefront of the battlefield, the prospects for de-escalation appear increasingly uncertain, with military actions on both sides reinforcing a cycle of retaliation rather than restraint.