DAMASCUS: The Syria government on Tuesday announced a ceasefire with Kurds forces in the northeast and gave them four days to agree on integration into the central state. The move comes after Damascus seized swathes of territory previously controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key US ally in the fight against Islamic State.
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US envoy Tom Barrack described the offer as the “greatest opportunity” for the Kurds, highlighting citizenship rights, cultural protections, and political participation. He noted that the original mission of the SDF had largely ended, and Washington has no long-term interest in maintaining its presence in Syria.
Syria: Government and Kurdish forces halt fighting for 4 days following a new temporary deal
Damascus pushes for integration of Kurdish areas
Meanwhile, Kurdish communtiy stage protests in Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon@AadhyaJunejaa has more pic.twitter.com/Wl7fjChrMI
— WION (@WIONews) January 21, 2026
Under the ceasefire, which began Tuesday evening, the SDF agreed not to engage in military action unless provoked. Damascus asked the SDF to submit a candidate for the role of assistant to the defence minister as part of the integration plan. Syrian government forces warned that failure to comply could result in their advance into two SDF-controlled cities in Hasakah province.
The northeast of Syria, bordering Turkiye and Iraq, is home to both Kurds and Arabs and was overrun by Islamic State a decade ago before the SDF pushed them back with US-led coalition support. SDF advances had worried Turkiye, which views the Kurdish YPG as an extension of the PKK insurgency.
Meanwhile, security concerns persist as about 200 low-level IS fighters escaped from Shaddadi prison following the SDF withdrawal, though Syrian forces recaptured most. The SDF also withdrew from the al-Hol camp, which houses thousands of civilians linked to IS. Syrian forces are now deploying to secure the area and prevent further escapes.
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The developments mark a major shift in territorial control since rebels ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, with the new government under Ahmed al-Sharaa aligning closely with Turkiye while attempting to consolidate authority in the northeast.