Al-Sharaa checkmates the SDF and Washington still wins

Al JazeeraCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by Wael AlzayatJanuary 26, 2026 at 09:31 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Recent fighting between the Syrian military and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria has resulted in the Syrian government expanding its control, particularly in Arab-majority areas. The US, the SDF's primary backer, brokered a ceasefire and advocated for the SDF's reintegration into the Syrian state. This shift in US policy follows the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The US initially supported the SDF in the fight against ISIL, despite concerns about the group's ties to the PKK and its potential to fracture Syria. The Syrian government is now offering protection and humanitarian aid to the Kurdish community. The US appears to be achieving its long-term goal of a unified Syria.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Raqqa 30% Ain al-Arab (Kobane) 30% Nouri al-Maliki 40% State Department 50% Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) 50% Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ×260% Bashar al-Assad ×360% Turkiye ×260% Washington ×370% United States ×480% Syrian Democratic Forces ×590% Syria ×590%

Keywords

syria 100% syrian democratic forces 90% sdf reintegration 80% washington 70% united states 70% kurdish 60% bashar al-assad 60% turkiye 50% isis 50% syrian military 40%