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Syrian army makes rapid advances as SDF braces for Raqqa attack

Syrian army makes rapid advances as SDF braces for Raqqa attack
By Faisal Ali, Urooba Jamal and Usaid Siddiqui
Published On 18 Jan 2026

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18 Jan 2026 - 22:59
 (22:59 GMT)

Thanks for joining us

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Click here for our piece on what you should know about the Syrian government’s ceasefire with the SDF.

To learn about Syria’s decree granting new Kurdish rights, including the formal recognition of the Kurdish language, watch our video here.

Or, check out our photo gallery from the Syrian Army’s seizure of the strategic town of Tabqa, here.

18 Jan 2026 - 22:45
 (22:45 GMT)

Here’s what happened today

We will be closing this live page soon. Here is a recap of today’s main events:

  • A  ceasefire has been reached between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led SDF on all fronts after days of heavy fighting.
  • The agreement stipulates that there will be a complete administrative and military handover of the Deir Az Zor and Raqqa governorates to Damascus.
  • The agreement says the Syrian state will continue to fight against ISIL (ISIS) as an active member of the international coalition, in coordination with the United States.
  • Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa says he and Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, are scheduled to meet tomorrow.
  • The US says it “commends” the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for their efforts in reaching a ceasefire, US special envoy Tom Barrack says.
  • Forces of Syria’s Interior Ministry have started entering the northeastern city of Raqqa to prepare for an organised deployment across all neighbourhoods.
18 Jan 2026 - 22:30
 (22:30 GMT)
EXPLAINER

What is the SDF?

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a Kurdish-led, multiethnic alliance of armed groups that was formed in 2015 during Syria’s civil war. While it includes Arab, Assyrian and other local factions, its backbone is the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which played a central role in the fight against ISIL (ISIS).

The SDF rose to prominence as the main US-backed partner in the campaign to defeat ISIL in Syria, receiving military training, weapons and logistical support from Washington. Through that fight, it came to control large parts of northeastern Syria, including key cities, border crossings and areas rich in oil, gas and agricultural resources.

Alongside its military role, the SDF has backed a system of local self-administration, promoting a decentralised model of governance in areas under its control.

That autonomy has long been a point of contention with Damascus, which has insisted on restoring full state authority across Syria.

Tensions have also been shaped by regional dynamics. Turkiye considers the SDF is a “terrorist” organisation because of its links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish group that has fought the Turkish state for decades. Ankara has repeatedly warned against any permanent SDF presence along its southern border, and has carried out military operations in northern Syria to push Kurdish forces away from frontier areas.

18 Jan 2026 - 22:15
 (22:15 GMT)

Syria to begin development plans for oil-, gasfields: Report

A senior Syrian government official says a team from the Energy Ministry ⁠is on the ground to assess the state of major oilfields and the ⁠Conoco gasfield in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor, the Reuters news agency reports.

The official said ‌Syria’s government would begin drafting development plans for those fields ‌in coordination with energy firms ‌that already ⁠have rights to them, including some who declared ‌force majeure when Syria’s conflict erupted in 2011.

18 Jan 2026 - 22:00
 (22:00 GMT)
Explainer

What was Syria’s March 10, 2025, agreement with the SDF?

  • Under the agreement, signed last March, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the then-interim Syrian government emphasised the unity of Syria and stipulated that “all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria” be merged “into the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the airport, and oil and gas fields”.
  • The agreement aimed to bring the semi-autonomous region in northeastern Syria under the full control of the Syrian central government.
  • It also included a ceasefire in all of Syria, as well as SDF support in combating fighters loyal to the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad.
  • It included an affirmation that the Kurdish people are integral to Syria and have a right to citizenship and guaranteed constitutional rights.
  • It had a deadline for the integration of the SDF and Syrian Arab Army by the end of 2025, which was not met by the SDF, spurring the recent push by the Syrian Army to assert control over the country’s northeast.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (r) shakes the hand of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi after the signing of the agreement on March 10, 2025 [Handout SANA via AFP]
18 Jan 2026 - 21:45
 (21:45 GMT)

Erdogan discusses latest developments in Syria with al-Sharaa

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the latest developments in Syria with his Syrian counterpart, al-Sharaa, ⁠in a phone call, Erdogan’s office said.

In the call, which took place after Syria and the main ⁠Kurdish fighting force struck a wide-ranging deal to bring Kurdish-led civilian and military authorities under central government control, Erdogan told al-Sharaa that ‌Ankara’s support for Damascus, particularly in the fight against terrorism, would continue, ‌the Turkish presidency said in a ‌statement.

A provision in the ceasefire agreement will see Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members expelled from Syria, considered a big win for Turkiye. The PKK and the Turkish state have remained in conflict for decades.

Erdogan also told ⁠al-Sharaa that “the complete elimination of terrorism from Syrian territory is necessary ‌for both Syria and the entire region”, according to the Turkish presidency.

18 Jan 2026 - 21:30
 (21:30 GMT)

Macron, al-Sharaa agree on rejecting separatism, urge Syrian unity

Al-Sharaa has discussed the latest developments in Syria with French President Emmanuel Macron in a telephone call, SANA reported.

“Both presidents emphasised the importance of Syria’s unity and sovereignty, and rejected separatist tendencies,” it added.

They also agreed on the need to speed up Syria’s reconstruction and to foster a favourable climate for economic and development projects, SANA said.

18 Jan 2026 - 21:15
 (21:15 GMT)

Al-Sharaa speaks with Kurdish leader Barzani

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has spoken with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani to discuss the latest developments in Syria, SANA reports.

The Barzanis, the leading force in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, have enjoyed close relations with the United States.

“Barzani praised Presidential Decree No. (13) of 2026, which guarantees the rights and special status of Kurds in Syria,” the report from SANA said.

Both sides underlined the importance of preserving Syria’s unity, sovereignty and stability, SANA added.

18 Jan 2026 - 21:00
 (21:00 GMT)

Syria’s interior minister praises ceasefire

Anas Khattab says via a statement on Telegram that the agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government “represents a new step towards a unified Syria, with its people, land, and resources”.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to a ceasefire earlier this evening, which will see a full integration of its forces, civil administration and territory with the Syrian state.

“Together we can begin a phase of reconstruction and prosperity, and preserve security and stability,” Khattab said.

18 Jan 2026 - 20:45
 (20:45 GMT)

Qatar welcomes ceasefire in Syria

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry says the ceasefire between the SDF and the Syrian government is a “welcome step toward strengthening civil peace, enhancing security and stability, and building a state based on institutions and the rule of law”.

“Qatar commends the effective efforts of the friendly United States of America, which contributed to reaching the agreement,” it said.

The ministry’s statement went on to say that Qatar is in full support of Syria’s sovereignty and unity.

18 Jan 2026 - 20:30
 (20:30 GMT)

Ceasefire agreement a ‘pivotal step’: Foreign ministry

Syria’s Foreign Ministry has hailed the new ceasefire deal between the Syrian government and the SDF forces, describing it as “pivotal step”.

“Syria affirms that the unity and cohesion of the Syrian people, in all their diversity, is the solid foundation for any lasting stability,” it added in a statement reported by state media outlet SANA.

18 Jan 2026 - 20:15
 (20:15 GMT)

Syrian president cancels Germany visit: Berlin

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has cancelled a planned visit to Berlin this week, a German government spokeswoman told AFP news agency.

The visit scheduled for Tuesday, which had been due to focus on Germany’s efforts to step up the repatriation of Syrians, “was postponed by the Syrian side”, the spokeswoman said.

18 Jan 2026 - 20:00
 (20:00 GMT)

WATCH: Syrian government and SDF agree on immediate ceasefire

Syrian state media has announced an immediate ceasefire between the government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the handover of territory and natural resources by the SDF.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa also announced that the Syrian army will enter the three eastern and northeastern provinces.

These regions were under SDF control until just days ago.

Al Jazeera is monitoring events from several key locations. Watch below:

18 Jan 2026 - 19:50
 (19:50 GMT)

Syrian forces begin entering Raqqa city: Ministry

Forces of Syria’s Interior Ministry have started entering the northeastern city of Raqqa to prepare for an organised deployment across all neighbourhoods.

A ministry statement said security forces started moving into Raqqa as part of a comprehensive plan to impose security and stability and safeguard citizens and public and private property.

The step falls within its ongoing efforts to stabilise security conditions across Syrian cities and regions and ensure a safe environment for residents, the statement added.

18 Jan 2026 - 19:45
 (19:45 GMT)

Turkiye hopes Syrian ceasefire agreement will bolster stability in the region

Turkiye has expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and SDF will bolster security and stability in Syria, “as well as to the security of the entire region, particularly Syria’s neighboring countries”.

“Recognising the realities on the ground, we hope that all groups and individuals in Syria will realize that their future lies not in terrorism and division, but in unity, integration, and cohesion,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said Turkiye will continue to back the Syrian government’s efforts to “combat terrorism” and rebuild the country through a comprehensive approach with broad public support.

18 Jan 2026 - 19:30
 (19:30 GMT)

Message from Damascus: ‘Join or be forced out’

By Zein Basravi

Reporting from Aleppo, Syria

Everything we’ve witnessed in the last two weeks, everything we’ve seen on the front lines, with the rapid movement of Syrian forces, with the rapid tactical retreat, more retreat than tactical, of SDF fighters from their positions, it sends one very clear message going forward.

Whatever negotiations are carried out, whenever they’re carried out, the SDF is not in the place it was a year ago or even two weeks ago.

It is in a weakened position. And the clear message being sent from Damascus by this massive projection of power, this massive use of military force, is that the SDF is too split apart and not strong enough to withstand the centralised power of the interim government in Damascus.

So either join or be forced out. That’s the message from Damascus.

18 Jan 2026 - 19:15
 (19:15 GMT)

Deir Az Zor governor: The era of the SDF is over

Ghassan Al-Sayyed Ahmed, appointed by Damascus to oversee the governorate, tells Al Jazeera that Deir Az Zor has “put an end to the era of the SDF and its practices, and there is overwhelming joy among the residents”.

He claimed that “the province witnessed a popular uprising as a result of the SDF’s practices”, and that “the SDF retreated to Hasakah province within 12 hours”.

“We [Syrian government authorities] took control of all the governorate’s facilities this afternoon,” he said.

Large swathes of the Deir Az Zor governorate were under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces until this evening, when the group signed a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government, effectively placing it, its forces and territory under the umbrella of government authority.

18 Jan 2026 - 19:00
 (19:00 GMT)

Saudi crown prince, Syrian president discuss bilateral ties, regional developments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed bilateral relations and prospects for strengthening cooperation in various fields today, according to Saudi media.

The talks took place during a phone conversation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said, adding that the two leaders also reviewed regional developments and a number of issues of mutual interest.

Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to express support for Syria’s new administration led by al-Sharaa, engaging with Damascus through political and economic partnerships.

18 Jan 2026 - 18:45
 (18:45 GMT)

Jordan welcomes Syrian government-SDF ceasefire

Jordan welcomes the “ceasefire and full integration agreement” between the government of Syria and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, signed earlier this evening.

“The Ministry considers this an important step towards strengthening Syria’s unity, stability, and security”, the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Ambassador [Fouad] Majali emphasized the Kingdom’s appreciation for the role of the United States in reaching the agreement, stressing the importance of implementing its provisions for the benefit of Syria and its people, and to support recovery and reconstruction efforts,” the statement adds.

The US enjoys close relations with both the SDF and the Syrian government, and its special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has been in the country trying to push for a ceasefire.

18 Jan 2026 - 18:30
 (18:30 GMT)

‘The SDF will be dissolved’, Syria’s UN envoy says

Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, says the SDF will be dissolved under the new ceasefire agreement.

“The SDF will be dissolved. Individual fighters will be integrated within the [Syrian] army after … conducting security screenings and so on.”

“The deal is absolutely clear; all state institutions are back.”

Olabi also said it was a positive development that the ceasefire agreement welcomed the presidential decree issued earlier this week by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, recognising the rights of Kurdish people, adding that the former Bashar al-Assad government “stripped Kurds of any acknowledgement”.

“It’s a big historical moment where Syria has recognised the cultural rights, linguistic rights, and historical rights of Kurds in a presidential decree, which is at the moment the only available kind of legal tool that can be exercised,” he said.