Syrian army troops have entered the towns of Tabqah, Ain Issa and Tel Tamer in northeastern Syria after Damascus reached an agreement with Kurds in the region to deploy troops in the area, state media report. The deployment to Tabqah near Raqqah on Monday restores the state's foothold in an area that is home to a major hydroelectric dam.
The state television, in broadcasts from Ain Issa, showed residents welcoming the entry of the army troops.
Tel Tamer is 35 km southeast of Ras al-Ain which is currently under the control of Turkish troops. It is on a strategically important highway, the M4, that runs east to west. Turkish forces said they had seized the highway on Sunday.