Syrian army offensive overjoys some, leaves others with ‘existential’ fear

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Justin SalhaniJanuary 27, 2026 at 08:50 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

Following the SDF's withdrawal from Raqqa and Deir Az Zor in January 2026, the Syrian army's offensive has elicited contrasting reactions. Arab residents in these cities expressed joy and relief, citing liberation from SDF repression and forced conscription. However, in Kurdish-majority areas of northeastern Syria, the government's military presence has sparked fear among residents. They worry about potential sectarian violence, referencing past incidents in other regions. The SDF controlled much of northeast Syria after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, before withdrawing earlier this year. Discussions are ongoing between the SDF and the new government regarding control of the region.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Al Jazeera ×240% Bashar al-Assad 40% Turkiye 40% Abbas Musa 40% Hasakah 50% Adnan Khadeir ×250% Qamishli 50% Raqqa 60% Deir Az Zor ×270% Syrian Arab Army 80% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×790% Syria ×4100%

Keywords

syrian army offensive 90% syria 80% kurdish-led sdf 80% fear 70% liberation 60% government troops 60% forced conscription 50% sectarian killings 50% resource-rich northeast 40% bashar al-assad regime 40%