Raqqa, January 25, 2026 (Agencies) – Syria’s defence ministry announced that a ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has been extended by another 15 days, hours after a four-day truce expired on Saturday, amid ongoing tensions in the country’s northeast.
In a statement, the defence ministry said the extension was intended to support an operation by United States forces to transfer suspected Daesh militants held in prisons in northeastern Syria to detention facilities in Iraq. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed the extension and reiterated their commitment to the agreement.
“Our forces affirm their commitment to the agreement and their dedication to respecting it, which contributes to de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the creation of the necessary conditions for stability,” the SDF said in a statement.
The extension follows weeks of intense clashes between government forces and the SDF, during which the Kurdish-led group lost large areas it had previously controlled. Earlier on Saturday, the SDF had appealed to the international community to prevent further escalation as government forces continued to send reinforcements to northeastern Syria.
Syria’s interim government signed an agreement with the SDF last March under which the group was to hand over territory and eventually merge its fighters with government forces. Talks held in early January failed to make progress on the merger, triggering renewed fighting. A revised version of the agreement was signed last weekend, accompanied by a four-day ceasefire declared on Tuesday. Under the new deal, SDF members are to be integrated into the army and police as individuals.
Despite confirming the ceasefire extension, the SDF said it had observed military buildups and logistical movements by government forces, which it described as indicating possible preparations for renewed confrontation. The group said it would nevertheless continue to abide by the truce.
Meanwhile, Syrian state television reported that authorities released 126 boys under the age of 18 from Al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa, which was taken over by government forces on Friday. The teenagers were transferred to Raqqa and handed over to their families.
Al-Aqtan prison also houses some of the approximately 9,000 Daesh members detained in northeastern Syria. Most of the detainees remain in prisons run by the SDF, although government forces have taken control of two facilities so far. Earlier this week, the US military said around 7,000 Daesh detainees would be transferred to detention centres in Iraq, adding on Wednesday that 150 prisoners had already been moved.