Power lines and power struggles: Unpacking Syria’s push towards unification

Al JazeeraCenterEN 8 min read 100% complete by Osama Bin JavaidJanuary 19, 2026 at 11:26 AM

AI Summary

long article 8 min

In January 2026, Syrian government forces seized the al-Omar oilfield, Conoco gas complex in Deir Az Zor, and the Tabqa Dam in Raqqa from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced an agreement for state institutions to enter the Hasakah, Deir Az Zor, and Raqqa governorates. The move is seen as crucial for Syria's economic recovery, as hydrocarbons in eastern Syria were a significant part of the GDP before the conflict and were later exploited by armed groups. Analysts suggest the SDF's territorial losses mirror the previous collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Reclaiming these resources is considered a prerequisite for fiscal recovery and improving living conditions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Arab Center Washington DC 30% Labib al-Nahhas 40% Bashar al-Assad 40% Hasakah 50% Raqqa ×260% Euphrates River 60% Ahmed al-Sharaa ×260% Tabqa Dam ×270% al-Omar oilfield ×270% Deir Az Zor ×370% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×480% Syria ×790%

Keywords

syria unification 90% power struggle 80% economic recovery 70% oil and gas 70% syrian democratic forces 60% tabqa dam 50% political economy 50% deir az zor 50% state institutions 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral

Score: 0.10

Source Transparency

Source

Al Jazeera

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Syria

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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syria unification power struggle economic recovery oil and gas syrian democratic forces tabqa dam political economy deir az zor state institutions

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