Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces agreed to a four-day ceasefire on January 20, 2026, after the SDF withdrew its fighters from al-Hol camp, home to thousands of Islamic State families. The pullout came as part of a larger deal that hands over control of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor governorates, along with prisons, oil fields, and border crossings to Damascus.
Background
The fighting in northeastern Syria picked up in early January when the Syrian transitional government launched operations to regain areas held by the SDF since the civil war. On January 6, government troops moved into the Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood in Aleppo, a Kurdish area. Clashes lasted days until a local ceasefire on January 10 forced the SDF to pull back to the northeast.
Tensions rose further when the SDF closed border crossings at Tabqa, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor on January 15. The next day, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree calling Kurds a basic part of the Syrian people. He made Kurdish an official national language and gave more rights to the Kurdish minority. This was seen as an effort to calm things down before bigger moves.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced on January 16 that his forces would leave Deir Hafer the next day. He said this came from calls by friendly countries and mediators, showing good faith in a merger process tied to a March 10 agreement. Reports say six SDF members deserted to government lines that day.
On January 17, US Special Envoy Tom Barrack met Kurdish leaders in Erbil, Iraq. Those at the table included Abdi, Îlham Ehmed from the Democratic Autonomous Administration, Mihemed Ismail from the Kurdish National Council, and Masoud Barzani. Barrack then went to Damascus and sealed a deal with al-Sharaa early on January 18. That agreement called for a ceasefire, integrating the SDF's 100,000 fighters into the Syrian Army, and government takeover of three SDF-held provinces.
The Syrian Army declared a nationwide ceasefire right after. Abdi confirmed the deal and said the SDF would withdraw from Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. The two leaders planned to meet in Damascus on January 19, but weather delayed Abdi's trip. On January 18, SDF forces pulled east of the Euphrates, even leaving the al-Omar oil field. Government troops moved in and took the empty areas.
Key Details
The ceasefire started at 8 p.m. local time on January 20. It gives the Syrian government immediate military and administrative control of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates. In Al-Hasakah, all civilian institutions now join state structures. Damascus takes over oil and gas fields, border crossings, and camps holding Islamic State prisoners across the northeast.
Al-Hol Camp and Prisons
Al-Hol camp holds around 40,000 people, mostly women and children linked to IS fighters. The SDF managed it for years, along with prisons like Shadi and others in Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor. These sites held up to 60,000 at their peak, including 18,000 foreign nationals from over 60 countries. Many Western nations have not taken back adult male fighters.
As SDF guards shifted to front lines, concerns grew about escapes. Fighting near prisons led to deaths and some breakouts. Damascus accused the SDF of releasing detainees. The SDF said government troops attacked sites in Hasaka and Raqqa. Smaller facilities, like former schools and warehouses, hold up to 12,000 more suspects. The SDF's internal security force, known as Asayish, had run security since 2019 with some training help.
"We were compelled to withdraw our fighters from al-Hol camp," said an SDF spokesperson, pointing to the ceasefire terms and pressure from recent clashes.
Arab tribal leaders in Deir ez-Zor said they would fight the SDF if ordered by the government. Local people in places like Deir Hafer and Maskanah greeted advancing Syrian troops. The deal also requires the SDF to remove non-Syrian Kurdistan Workers' Party members, welcomed by Turkey. It demands lists of Ba'athist officers in the area, a dignified return of refugees to Afrin and Sheikh Maqsoud, demilitarization of Kobani, and no Ba'athists in SDF leadership.
On January 17, SDF reported clashes in Dibsi Afnan after what they called a betrayal by government forces. Reports of IS sleeper cell attacks have risen as SDF control shrinks.
What This Means
This ceasefire marks a big shift in northeastern Syria. The SDF, which controlled these areas for years, now integrates into the national army. Government control over oil fields and borders strengthens Damascus economically and strategically. Prisons and camps pose the biggest risk. With SDF forces thinning out, any major escape could spark a new IS threat. Experts say securing these sites tests the new Syrian rulers.
The deal eases long-standing issues with Turkey over PKK links. Refugee returns to places like Afrin could change local demographics. Tribal support for the government in Deir ez-Zor might reduce future unrest. But accusations of violations linger, and the four-day truce leaves questions about what comes after. Abdi's delayed Damascus visit could iron out details on integration and prisoner handling.
For the 40,000 at al-Hol and thousands in prisons, the handover means new guards and rules. Foreign governments face fresh calls to repatriate their nationals. The US role through envoy Barrack shows outside influence in shaping the peace. Local greetings for troops suggest some communities welcome the change after years under SDF rule.
Broader effects touch the whole region. Oil revenue now flows to Damascus, aiding recovery. Border control cuts smuggling routes. Kurdish rights in the decree offer political gains, but military pullbacks limit armed power. Sleeper cell reports signal IS is not gone. As the ceasefire holds, eyes stay on prisons and meetings between leaders.
