Rapid rollback of Kurdish-led forces reshapes Sharaa's Syria

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete January 22, 2026 at 01:08 PM

AI Summary

medium article 4 min

Syrian government forces under President Ahmed al-Sharaa have rapidly reclaimed territory in northeastern Syria previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This marks the biggest shift in control since the end of the Syrian civil war in December 2024. The offensive followed stalled negotiations between the government and the SDF regarding the integration of SDF forces into Syrian institutions. The SDF, which had enjoyed US support and autonomy in the region, suffered significant territorial losses, leading to a 14-point agreement. The agreement stipulates that SDF members will join the Syrian army and interior ministry individually, and control of oil and gas fields will revert to the government. The US, under President Trump, has supported Sharaa's vision of a unified Syria, leading to no apparent objection to the offensive.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Al-Qaeda 30% Bashar al-Assad 30% Islamic State (IS) 40% Damascus 40% Donald Trump 50% United States ×360% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×780% Ahmed al-Sharaa ×590% Syria ×8100%

Keywords

syria 100% kurdish-led forces 80% territorial control 70% syrian democratic forces (sdf) 70% sharaa government 60% government forces 60% autonomy 50% us support 50% integration 40%