Syrian militiaman shows off what he claims to be severed Kurdish fighter's braid as Damascus asserts control

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 3 min read 100% complete by Emma BusseyJanuary 25, 2026 at 10:42 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

A video showing a Syrian militiaman displaying what he claimed was a severed braid of a Kurdish fighter killed in Raqqa sparked outrage amid shifting control in northeastern Syria. The incident occurred as Damascus sought to assert authority in areas previously governed by the U.S.-backed SDF, leading to clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish units in the Raqqa region. The video prompted online protests and highlighted Kurdish fears regarding Syrian government control. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire on January 18th followed diplomatic efforts, including meetings between a U.S. envoy and Syrian and Kurdish leaders. While the ceasefire provides temporary relief, it postpones resolving the underlying dispute between Syria and the Kurds.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Mazloum Abdi 40% Turkey 40% Tom Barrack 40% Masoud Barzani 40% United States ×360% Ahmed al-Sharaa ×260% Nanar Hawach ×360% Raqqa ×370% Islamic State group (ISIS) ×470% Damascus ×370% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×480% Syria ×790%

Keywords

severed braid 90% syria 90% kurdish fighter 80% damascus 80% syrian democratic forces 70% ceasefire 70% isis 60% raqqa 60% cultural significance 50% women's resistance 40%