Archive · 25 Jan 2026
Syria Extends Ceasefire With Kurdish Forces
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to extend a ceasefire by 15 days.
This comes after a four-day ceasefire expired on Saturday night.
The Syrian government has been taking control of areas previously held by the SDF, which has been a U.S. ally in Syria.
The U.S. and France have been trying to help the SDF join the Syrian government's army to avoid more fighting.
The ceasefire extension is also meant to help the U.S. move Islamic State prisoners from Syria to Iraq.
The SDF and the Syrian government are still talking to each other, but the SDF says the government is building up its military forces, which could lead to more conflict.
The situation is tense, but the ceasefire gives both sides more time to find a solution.
A four-day ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces expired on Saturday night and has been extended by 15 days.
Government troops have seized significant territory from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the last two weeks.
The U.S. and France have been engaging in diplomacy to facilitate the integration of the SDF into the Syrian government's army and to establish a lasting ceasefire.
The ceasefire extension is meant to support the U.S. operation to transfer Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq.
The SDF has accused the Syrian government of moving towards escalation through military build-ups, despite ongoing dialogue.
- Who
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
- What
- Extension of a ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces by 15 days
- When
- The ceasefire was extended on Saturday night and will last for 15 days
- Where
- Northeastern Syria, including key cities like Qamishli, Hasakeh, and Kobane
- Why
- To support an ongoing U.S. operation to transfer Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq and to facilitate dialogue between the SDF and the Syrian government
- Syrian President
- Ahmed al-Sharaa
- Kurdish-led militia
- Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
- Key cities
- Raqqa, Deir Ezzour, Qamishli, Hasakeh, Kobane
- ISIS prisoners
- 9,000 detainees, 7,000 transferred to Iraq
- U.S. involvement
- Engaging in shuttle diplomacy for ceasefire
- Turkey's stance
- Strongest foreign backer of Sharaa's government
- Ceasefire deadline
- Extended by 15 days, effective from Saturday night
Sources
Syrian troops, Kurdish forces poised on front lines as truce deadline looms
Syrian President called the US’s bluff—and it paid off
Syria ceasefire with Kurdish forces expires amid uncertainty
Syria extends ceasefire with Kurdish forces by 15 days
