US transfers ISIL detainees to Iraq as northeast Syria base draws down

Apparent move follows withdrawal of Kurdish forces from al-Hawl, where about 24,000 people are detained Syria’s army has reportedly entered the country’s vast al-Hawl detention camp that houses relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists, after Kurdish forces withdrew . A large group of soldiers opened the camp’s metal gate and entered while others guarded the entrance, according to an Agence France-Presse journalist at the scene. Continue reading...

New tensions flared a day after a Kurdish-led militia agreed to hand over control of prisons holding some 8,000 Islamic State fighters to the Syrian government.

The new deal also calls for a cease-fire. Government forces have taken strategic assets from the militia in recent days, weakening the force.

Government extends grip on north after stalled efforts under Ahmed al-Sharaa to reach accommodation with Kurds and fold their forces into national army Syria’s army has taken control of swathes of the country’s north, dislodging Kurdish forces from territory over which they held effective autonomy for more than a decade. State media said on Saturday that the army took over the northern city of Tabqa and its adjacent dam, as well as the major Freedom dam, formerly known as the Baath, west of the Syrian city of Raqaa. It came despite US calls to halt the advance. Continue reading...

Iraq launches investigations into ISIL detainees from Syria, with 7,000 expected to arrive in total.

Damascus says forces entering city in northeastern Hasakah province 'to commence security duties' under US-backed deal.

Syrian government forces have entered the city of Hasakah, which had been under the control of the Kurdish-led SDF.

Syrian forces move into the northeastern city, which was previously under the control of the Kurdish-led SDF.

Syrian government troops have been waiting to enter Hasakah, a main area still under the control of Kurdish-led SDF.

Syria’s Kurdish forces have reached a comprehensive agreement with the government to integrate with the Syrian army.

Agreement comes after SDF lost control of swaths of territory amid offensive by government forces.

Interior Minister Anas Khattab's order includes all listed as stateless and sets February 5 as deadline for its rollout.

Many Syrians feel liberated by the army pushing out the Kurdish-led SDF. But others fear government troops.

Exchange of barbs comes a day after the Syrian government extended the ceasefire with the SDF by 15 days.

Convoy carrying food and fuel reaches Kurdish-majority town, also known as Kobane, in Aleppo province.

A fragile ceasefire between Syria’s government and the Kurdish-led SDF has been extended by 15 days.

Syrian defence ministry says extension aims to help transfer of ISIL prisoners from facilities previously held by SDF.

Syria's foreign ministry denies government forces reached an agreement with SDF on extending the deadline.

Exhausted by war, Damascus longs for unity as ceasefire sparks hope, but questions of integration and stability remain.

A four-day ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led SDF was meant to cool tensions.

The US military said up to 7,000 people will be moved from a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria.

SDF chief Abdi urged US-led coalition to 'bear responsibilities' for securing facilities coming under gov't control.

Syria’s army has taken control of a large part of the country that had been under the Kurdish-led SDF.

Analysts believe overtures from the Syrian government to the Kurdish minority have come a little late.

The Syrian government has announced a four-day ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Kurdish-led SDF accepts truce but reports continued attacks by government-allied forces, despite the agreement.

US Envoy Tom Barrack says the Syrian government is taking the SDF's former position as the 'anti-ISIS (ISIL)' force.

In a lightning-fast offensive, the Syrian government has taken oil-rich territory long held by the Kurdish-led SDF.

Syria’s government, Kurdish-led forces trade blame on violence, escaped ISIL fighters as negotiations reach dead end.

About 200 ISIL detainees escaped from al-Shaddadi prison with tit-for-tat allegations on who freed them.

Despite some reported clashes, the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are implementing a new ceasefire.

Syrian army tells Al Jazeera Arabic it is now in complete control of city of al-Shaddadi in northeast Syria.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa plans to meet SDF chief Mazloum Abdi in Damascus on Monday.

The army has made significant territorial gains after intense battles with the SDF.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the deal would allow the Syrian state to reassert control over most areas.

The Syrian army captures Tabqa, intensifying their push against Kurdish-led forces east of the Euphrates River.

People in the Syrian town of Deir Hafer have been celebrating after the Syrian army pushed out the SDF.

Syria’s army accelerates its campaign, securing key infrastructure and forcing Kurdish-led SDF retreat.

Syria's military says it captured the strategic town of Tabqah from the Kurdish-led SDF during its whirlwind offensive.

Kurdish-led SDF accuses Syrian forces of violating withdrawal deal as they take key towns and oilfields.

Syrian government troops have moved into dozens of towns and villages in eastern Aleppo governorate as the SDF withdraw.

Government troops enter the city earlier controlled by the SDF, marking a shift in territorial control in Aleppo region.

Army says its forces are working to remove mines and other war remnants as they continue advancement.

SDF's Mazloum Abdi says he will withdraw forces east of Euphrates, as President al-Sharaa issues Kurdish rights decree.

Syrians are fleeing areas near Aleppo after the government ordered people to leave amid rising tensions with the SDF.

A 'humanitarian zone' is expected to remain open on Thursday, allowing residents to leave Deir Hafer and Maskana.

The Syrian army has declared a rural area east of Aleppo a “closed military zone” amid fears of renewed clashes.

Residents start returning to areas previously controlled by SDF fighters after their withdrawal from the city.

The battles in Aleppo between Syrian forces, who have reasserted control, and the SDF killed many, displaced thousands.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to withdraw from Aleppo after days of deadly violence.

Dozens of people have been killed in the clashes with more than 150,000 displaced.

The deal was announced in the early hours of Sunday morning after a week of violent clashes.

Aleppo governor says last SDF fighters have left the city after the Syrian army took control of Sheikh Maqsoud district.

Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar Atas recounts scenes from Aleppo amid escalating clashes between the Syrian army and the SDF.

Labib al-Nahhas on fighting between the Kurdish-led SDF and Syrian forces, reviving the debate over autonomy and unity.

Clashes began in Aleppo after talks on integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the national army stalled.

Syrian city sees renewed fighting between army and SDF.

Alawite protesters confront government supporters in coastal cities.

Renewed fighting between army and SDF highlights volatility.

At least two people have been killed in clashes between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Clashes come amid high-level talks between Syrian and Turkish officials on integration of SDF forces into Syria's army.

Syria is seeing major political changes, but security on the ground is still unstable.

What kind of Syria is the new government trying to build? And what challenges is it facing?

Syria on Tuesday announced a ceasefire with Kurdish forces it ‌has seized swathes of territory from in the northeast and gave them four days to agree on integrating into the central state, which their main ally, the US, urged them to accept. The lightning government advances in recent days and the apparent withdrawal of US support for the continued holding of territory by the Syrian Democratic Forces represent the biggest change of control in the country since rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad 13...

Around 1,500 Islamic State members escaped from ‍Syria’s Shaddadi prison on Monday, the ‌Kurdish website Rudaw reported, ‍quoting a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Earlier, the ‍Syrian army said “a number of” ‌Islamic State (Isis) militants had escaped ‍a prison that had been under SDF control in ‌the eastern ⁠city of Shaddadi, accusing the SDF of releasing them. The prison break took place a day after a sweeping deal was announced between the Syrian government and the...

Kurdish-led forces withdrew on Sunday from Syria’s largest oilfield, a conflict monitor said, as government troops extended their grip over swathes of territory in the country’s north and east. The push came after President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree granting the Kurds official recognition in an apparent goodwill gesture, even as his Islamist government seeks to assert its authority across Syria after the ousting of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The Kurds’ de facto autonomous...