Syria and Kurdish-led forces have agreed to extend a ceasefire for 15 days, the Syrian Ministry of Defence announced late Saturday. The extension, which began at 11 p.m. local time (20:00 GMT), is intended to support a U.S.-led operation transferring ISIS detainees from SDF-controlled facilities.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed the extension, emphasizing that the agreement “contributes to de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the creation of the necessary conditions for stability.” The announcement has sparked cautious relief in Syria, though observers note underlying issues remain unresolved.
Ayman Oghanna of Al Jazeera reported from Damascus that the central challenge is integrating SDF fighters and civil institutions into Syrian government structures—a process that has stalled despite an agreement signed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa in March 2025. Disagreements over implementation recently led to deadly clashes in multiple regions.
Earlier this week, a four-day truce halted Syrian government advances in Kurdish-held northeastern areas, allowing temporary relief for civilians. Syrian forces had been approaching the last cluster of Kurdish-controlled cities, which include key oil fields, hydroelectric dams, and detention facilities housing ISIS fighters and affiliated civilians, such as the al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa province.
The U.S. has been closely involved in coordinating with both sides. Washington announced this week it has begun transferring as many as 7,000 ISIL-linked detainees from Syrian facilities to Iraqi-controlled detention centers. U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. forces in the Middle East, said the operation is coordinated with regional partners, including Iraq, to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.
The ceasefire is a temporary measure that provides a narrow window for negotiations on the SDF’s integration into Syrian state institutions, but observers warn that lingering mistrust and unresolved political disputes could reignite clashes once the truce ends.
