A video tour has revealed the sophisticated underground tunnels built by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Raqqa countryside. The footage highlights complex features including tiled bathrooms, drainage systems, lighting, and ventilation, illustrating a level of engineering and planning that contrasts sharply with the cruder tunnel networks used by groups such as Hamas.

The tunnels were uncovered in the context of January 2026 military advances by Syrian forces into SDF-held territories following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. As the SDF withdrew from Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, the underground networks came into focus, revealing both their scale and technical sophistication. The discovery coincides with ongoing clashes, temporary ceasefires, and the escape of ISIS prisoners from nearby detention facilities.

The tunnels’ design indicates that the SDF invested heavily in long-term infrastructure to support fighters, civilians, and logistical operations. Analysts note that such networks provide a secure base of operations while facilitating mobility and survival in contested regions, reflecting a strategic contrast with other militant groups whose underground networks are primarily functional and improvised.

The discovery underscores the evolving dynamics in northeastern Syria, where territorial control, military engineering, and the legacy of previous conflicts continue to shape both the capabilities of local forces and the security challenges faced by advancing Syrian units.