Syrian Ministry of Defence

The Syrian Ministry of Defence is the governmental body overseeing Syria's armed forces. Recent news highlights its ongoing involvement in two primary conflicts: combating ISIL and engaging with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Ministry recently announced a 15-day extension of a ceasefire with the SDF, reportedly to facilitate the transfer of ISIL prisoners. However, this ceasefire appears fragile, as the Syrian army has also launched strikes against the SDF east of Aleppo and deployed troops to rural Aleppo, citing concerns about SDF regrouping efforts. These actions contradict the ceasefire's intended purpose and suggest continued tensions. Simultaneously, the Syrian Ministry of Defence is involved in efforts against ISIL, although these efforts are separate from and sometimes complicated by the presence of other actors, such as the US military, which has conducted retaliatory strikes against ISIL targets within Syria.