Kurdish SDF forces agree to ceasefire with Syrian government after offensive

Published January 18, 2026 6:10pm ET



Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces effectively capitulated to the Syrian government after suffering crushing losses from a major offensive.

Weeks of on-and-off fighting culminated in a major offensive by government forces against long-held Kurdish areas, where they were joined by disgruntled Arab tribesmen. As SDF forces increasingly faced a full collapse, Kurdish leaders agreed to a ceasefire, the terms of which amounted to a complete capitulation to Damascus.

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