Syria and Kurdish Forces Reach Ceasefire After Weeks of Conflict

Sun Jan 18 2026 23:37:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following nearly two weeks of intense clashes, the Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have agreed to a nationwide ceasefire, leading towards a broader integration of Kurdish forces into national institutions.

The Syrian government declared a nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signaling an end to nearly two weeks of fighting. The agreement, part of a 14-point plan, will allow the SDF to integrate into Syrian military structures while retaining certain cultural rights.

The Syrian government has announced an immediate nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), effectively regaining control over most regions of the country, as reported by state media.

This ceasefire concludes nearly two weeks of violent confrontations and is a part of a more comprehensive 14-point agreement that aims to assimilate the SDF into Syrian military and governmental institutions.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa, speaking from Damascus, emphasized that this deal permits Syrian state sectors to regain authority over the eastern and northern governorates, specifically al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa.

The agreement followed a significant meeting between al-Sharaa and U.S. special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who endorsed the deal as a pivotal move towards a unified Syria.\

Originally, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was expected to be present for the discussions but could not attend due to adverse weather, delaying his presence until Monday, according to al-Sharaa.

Throughout Syria's civil war that erupted nearly a decade ago, the Kurdish-led forces established their self-governance with considerable support from the United States, who armed and trained the SDF to combat the Islamic State group.

Under the terms of the agreement, signed by both al-Sharaa and Abdi, the Syrian government will reclaim civilian institutions, border crossings, and key oil and gas fields, essential for Kurdish autonomy. Military and security personnel from the SDF will be incorporated into Syria's defense and interior ministries post-vetting. Moreover, Damascus will take responsibility for prisons that currently hold thousands of foreign ISIS fighters and their families.

The accord also includes notable provisions for acknowledging Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights, granting Kurdish the status of an official language and recognizing their New Year as a national holiday—marking the first formal acknowledgment of Kurdish rights since Syria's independence in 1946.

Additionally, the agreement reinforces Syria's involvement in the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, following previous stalled negotiations around integration efforts.

Al-Sharaa remarked last week that it was intolerable for a militia to dominate a quarter of the nation's territory and manage its primary oil and resource sectors.