Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting

Al JazeeraCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffJanuary 18, 2026 at 05:01 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

On January 18, 2026, the Syrian government announced a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after days of fighting in northeastern Syria. The agreement, mediated in part by the United States, will see the SDF withdraw from areas west of the Euphrates River and integrate into the Syrian military. Syrian state institutions will move into the al-Hasakah, Deir Az Zor, and Raqqa governorates, previously controlled by the SDF. The Syrian government will assume responsibility for ISIL detainees and camps, integrating the SDF administration and security forces into the state structure. The SDF will also propose leaders for senior government positions to ensure national partnership.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Damascus ×250% al-Hasakah 50% Mazloum Abdi 50% Deir Az Zor 50% United States ×260% Euphrates River ×260% Raqqa ×360% Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ×260% Tom Barrack ×260% Ahmed al-Sharaa ×470% Syria ×990% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×1090%

Keywords

syria ceasefire 100% syrian democratic forces (sdf) 90% government takeover 80% sdf integration 80% euphrates river 60% syrian military 60% deir az zor 50% raqqa 50% al-hasakah 50% isis detainees 40%