Ruined schools, failing services mark damage left by YPG/SDF in Syria’s Raqqa

By Laith al-Junaidi and Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) - Years of neglect and destruction caused by the YPG/SDF terror group have left large parts of Syria’s Raqqa province struggling with collapsed public services, particularly in the education sector, according to a report broadcast Friday by Syria’s Al-Ikhbariya TV.

The report documented widespread damage to school buildings across the province, with residents describing how prolonged neglect deprived thousands of students of access to proper education.

Residents interviewed in the report called for immediate reconstruction efforts to allow students to return to classrooms after years of disruption and deteriorating learning conditions.

They also pointed to a sharp decline in health services, saying many hospitals are no longer operational due to neglect, alongside severe shortages in basic services.

The poor condition of major roads has further compounded daily hardships, residents said, restricting movement and causing material damage to vehicles.

Raqqa Governor Abdul Rahman Salameh said local authorities have begun implementing recovery plans aimed at reviving key sectors, including education, health care, and public services.

He added that restoring essential infrastructure remains a priority to support stability and improve living conditions for residents across the province.

On Sunday, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced a ceasefire agreement with the SDF to integrate its members into state institutions.

Under the deal, the SDF will withdraw its military formations east of the Euphrates River and hand over administrative and security control of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces to the Syrian state.

The agreement also provides for the integration of SDF military and security personnel into the Syrian defense and interior ministries following individual security vetting, as well as the transfer of border crossings, oil and gas fields, and civilian institutions to government control.

The deal followed a military operation launched by the Syrian Army, through which it regained wide areas in eastern and northeastern Syria after repeated violations by the SDF of earlier agreements signed with Damascus nearly a year ago.