Will the Syrian army end up controlling Kurdish-held areas?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 1 min read 100% complete January 18, 2026 at 09:21 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

In January 2026, the Syrian army made significant territorial gains in northeastern Syria, seizing areas previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Intense battles, which began in Aleppo, expanded to this oil-rich region, paving the way for the Syrian government to potentially tighten its grip. Despite US involvement and numerous talks between Damascus and the SDF over the past year, no agreements have been reached. Analysts suggest this shift in control could have significant implications for Syria and the wider region. The situation is being analyzed by experts such as Omar Abu Layla, Scott Lucas, and Kamaran Palani.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

James Bays 30% Damascus 40% Omar Abu Layla 40% Scott Lucas 40% Kamaran Palani 40% Aleppo 50% United States ×260% Syrian Arab Army ×380% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×690% Syria ×4100%

Keywords

sdf 100% syria 90% syrian army 90% kurdish-held areas 80% territorial gains 70% ceasefire 60% strategic region 50% oil-rich region 50% us involvement 50% damascus 40%