In a dramatic shift of power, Syria's main Kurdish-led military force has agreed to disband and merge into the national army following a swift and decisive government offensive. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), once hailed as the most effective ground force against the Islamic State group, suffered major territorial losses before a ceasefire was declared.
From Key Ally to Cornered Force
The SDF, formed in 2015 with US backing, ruled over nearly a quarter of Syria at its peak. This religiously and ethnically mixed alliance, led by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), was instrumental in the March 2019 defeat of ISIS. However, its dominant Kurdish leadership caused friction with Sunni Arab factions and regional powers, particularly Turkey, which views the YPG as an extension of the outlawed PKK.
Following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, relations between the SDF and the new interim government under Ahmad al-Sharaa remained cold. A surprise deal was signed in March 2025, agreeing in principle to merge the SDF into the Syrian army by the end of that year. Yet, disagreements on the process lingered.
The Government Offensive and Final Ceasefire
Deadly clashes erupted in Aleppo in early January 2026 after merger talks stalled. This sparked a full-scale government offensive that captured wide areas in the northeast, including the critical provinces of Raqqa and the oil-rich Deir el-Zour. By Sunday 18 January 2026, SDF fighters were cornered in Hassakeh province, their last major stronghold.
A ceasefire was announced that Sunday night. State media showed President al-Sharaa signing the agreement. SDF chief Mazloum Abdi, who was reportedly unable to travel due to bad weather, was absent, though his signature was on the document.
Terms of the Deal and Regional Implications
The new 14-point agreement marks a significant climbdown for the SDF and a blow to Kurdish ambitions for an autonomous region known as Rojava. Key terms include the individual integration of SDF fighters into the national army and police, not as a cohesive unit. The force will also hand over names of commanders for high-level posts.
In a conciliatory move, al-Sharaa issued a decree making Kurdish an official language alongside Arabic and recognising the Kurdish New Year as a national holiday. The deal also transfers control of prisons holding some 9,000 ISIS members and camps like al-Hol to the government, with no set deadline.
This consolidation of power follows al-Sharaa's move to tame Assad's Alawite minority in sectarian clashes in March 2025. With the SDF's likely dissolution, a major chapter in Syria's civil war closes, reshaping the balance of power in the region.
