US envoy meets SDF commander, calls for Syria ceasefire to be upheld

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Stephen QuillenJanuary 22, 2026 at 07:53 PM

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US envoy Tom Barrack met with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi on January 22, 2026, to reiterate US support for the Syrian ceasefire and urge confidence-building measures after recent clashes between the SDF and the Syrian government. Barrack emphasized the importance of upholding the current ceasefire for lasting stability. He also renewed US backing for an agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF regarding the integration of Kurdish-led forces into state institutions, a key part of President al-Sharaa's unification efforts. Recent conflict arose from disagreements over this integration, leading to government forces seizing SDF-held territories including oilfields and agricultural land. A four-day ceasefire was announced, but both sides have accused each other of violations.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Aleppo 40% Donald Trump 40% Raqqa 40% Iraq 50% Ilham Ahmed 60% Ahmed al-Sharaa ×270% Mazloum Abdi 70% Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ×370% Tom Barrack ×390% United States ×490% Syria ×7100% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×11100%

Keywords

syria ceasefire 100% sdf 90% confidence-building measures 70% kurdish-led forces 70% syrian government 60% us envoy 60% integration 60% lasting stability 50% isis prisoners 40% us support 40%