Syrian Democratic Forces

Syria's Kurdish-led SDF dissolves as part of integration with Damascus

"We announce today the end of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces and announce with full responsibility its dissolution as an independent military force," SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said.

|ByREUTERS
Members of Syrian Democratic Forces react after withdrawing from the front lines on the outskirts of the town of Tel Hamis following the agreement between the SDF and the Damascus government, which stipulates the withdrawal of the Syrian army and the SDF, in Qamishli, Syria, February 13, 2026.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in al-Shadadi, Syria.

Syrian Democratic Forces commander lands in Damascus for national unification talks - report

The SDF was the key force that helped defeat ISIS. It was backed by the US. Now it is integrating into the new Syrian security forces.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.

The strategic misjudgment of the Kurdish factor in Iran’s war - opinion

While Washington initially expressed rhetorical support for the Kurdish opposition, it later issued more cautious messages discouraging active Kurdish involvement in the conflict.

|ByVEYSI DAG
A rebel fighter takes away a flag that belonged to Islamic State militants in Akhtarin village, after rebel fighters advanced in the area, in northern Aleppo Governorate, Syria, October 7, 2016

ISIS claims responsibility for new attack in Syria targeting official near Damascus

ISIS has claimed a series of attacks in Syria, including an IED strike near Damascus and a reported assault on security forces in Raqqa.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

CENTCOM urges Syria to cease attacks on SDF, Kurdish forces as clashes escalate

US Central Command has appeared to try to seek to de-escalate tensions. US officials, including envoy Tom Barrack, have also tried to manage the escalating violence.

JANUARY 17, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A group of civilians carry bags and belongings as they flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026

Al-Sharaa issues decree granting Kurdish Syrians full Syrian nationality, legal protections

The decree, which includes eight articles, established that “Syrian Kurdish citizens are an essential and integral part of the Syrian people."

JANUARY 17, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, in Damascus, Syria December 8, 2025.

Israel stands with Kurds as Aleppo burns and the world stays silent - opinion

While Aleppo’s Kurds endure siege, shelling, and mass displacement, Israel’s Gideon Sa’ar emerges as one of the few leaders openly condemning the atrocities.

JANUARY 13, 2026BySUZAN QUITAZ
A member of the Syrian army walks with a weapon in the street as civilians flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026

After failed truces in Syria, will the newest ceasefire in Aleppo last? - analysis

Amid ongoing clashes with the SDF, Syrian government forces announced a suspension of military operations in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood, though tensions remain high.

JANUARY 12, 2026ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Entrance to the Ashrafieh neighborhood in Aleppo.

Syrian Democratic Forces leave Aleppo, announce understanding for ceasefire

Mazloum Abdi, head of the SDF, said that the group had reached an understanding for a ceasefire, in order to allow for the evacuation of trapped civilians and fighters from Aleppo.

JANUARY 11, 2026ByREUTERS
PEOPLE CELEBRATE in Sheikh Maksoud neighbourhood following the collapse of an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Aleppo, Syria, January 10, 2026.

US envoy to Syria calls for immediate ceasefire between SDF, Syrian military

United States Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack warned that the "deeply concerning" clashes may "risk undermining the progress achieved since the fall of the Assad regime."

JANUARY 10, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ
US SPECIAL ENVOY for Syria Tom Barrack speaks at a news conference in Damascus in September 2025.

Syria says it has taken control of Aleppo's Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood, Kurdish forces deny claims

The Syrian forces combed through 90% the neighbourhood according to the SANA News Agency, while Kurdish representatives assured Reuters that their forces were still present in Aleppo.

JANUARY 10, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS
Members of the Syrian Civil Defence work to extinguish a fire after shelling amid renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo, Syria, January 8, 2026.

Syrian Army to strike Aleppo as Kurdish forces reject evacuation after ceasefire announcement

A ceasefire was declared in Aleppo by Syria's Defense Ministry after clashes with Kurdish forces, with Damascus claiming it will "escort departing militants" to northeastern Syria.

JANUARY 9, 2026ByJAMES GENN, REUTERS
Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior stand guard in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood, which they have taken control of, according to the Interior Ministry, following battles with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 9, 2026.

Violent Aleppo clashes risk spilling over into rest of Syria if not contained - analysis

Dozens of civilians were forced to temporarily leave their homes amid shelling and gunfire, amid partial outages of electricity and water, and disruptions to some basic services.

JANUARY 8, 2026ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
A member of the Syrian army walks with a weapon in the street as civilians flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026

Damascus declares curfew in Aleppo following clashes with SDF

Syria’s government declared Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh a closed military zone as fighting with SDF escalated, with civilian deaths reported and mass evacuations underway.

JANUARY 7, 2026ByJAMES GENN
A member of the security forces stands guard as residents flee Aleppo's Ashrafieh Kurdish neighbourhood on January 7, 2026. Civilians were fleeing Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo on January 7 after the Syrian army declared them "closed military zones", amid ongoing fighting with Kurdish-led forces.