In a significant development, Syrian government forces have expanded their control in northern Syria, retaking large areas from Kurdish-led fighters. This move comes as talks on integrating their forces have stalled, marking a shift in the power dynamics in the region. The Syrian army’s advance has tightened Damascus’s grip on territory that the Kurds had administered for over a decade.
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According to a report by France 24, the Syrian army’s extension of control in northern Syria has been accompanied by clashes with Kurdish-led fighters. The situation escalated despite a presidential decree recognizing Kurdish rights, which Kurdish leaders deemed insufficient to meet their demands.
Furthermore, the South China Morning Post highlighted that Kurdish-led forces withdrew from Syria’s largest oilfield, Al-Omar, as government troops continued to assert their authority in the region. President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s decree granting official recognition to the Kurds was seen as a goodwill gesture amid the government’s efforts to consolidate power following the ousting of former ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
The BBC reported that the Syrian army seized the country’s largest oil field from Kurdish forces as the Kurdish-led SDF militia withdrew from the Omar oil field during the government’s eastward push. This development underscores the changing dynamics in Syria’s northeast region.
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, the Strait Times revealed that the Syrian government and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire after days of fighting. The ceasefire agreement came as government forces advanced into Kurdish-held territories in the northeast, signaling a potential shift towards a more stable situation in the region.
The New York Times reported that a unity deal between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces was reached, calling for a ceasefire and the merger of SDF forces into the government’s defense and interior ministries. This agreement follows the Syrian army’s takeover of strategic assets from the Kurdish-led militia, weakening their position in the region.
In conclusion, the evolving situation in northern Syria highlights the complex power struggles and shifting alliances in the region. The ceasefire agreements and unity deals between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces offer a glimpse of potential stability amidst ongoing conflicts. However, the long-term implications of these developments remain uncertain, as both sides navigate their interests and seek to assert control over key territories.
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References:
1. France 24 – https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260117-syrian-army-extends-hold-over-north-syria-kurds-report-clashes
2. South China Morning Post – https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340340/syrian-government-forces-take-al-omar-oilfield-kurds-withdraw?utm_source=rss_feed
3. BBC – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx20n55yxrlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
4. Strait Times – https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/syrian-government-us-backed-kurdish-forces-agree-immediate-ceasefire
5. New York Times – https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/world/middleeast/syria-kurds-ceasefire.html
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