QAMISHLI: A four-day ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces expired on Saturday night, with the truce’s fate uncertain and both sides exchanging accusations of violations.
The ceasefire ended at 8pm, with Syrian troops and Kurdish forces massed on opposing sides of front lines around the last cluster of Kurdish-held cities.
The deadline given to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has expired, Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said. “The Syrian government affirms that it is now considering its next options,” he added on X.
There was no immediate comment from the SDF on the ceasefire’s fate. Government troops have seized swathes of northern and eastern territory in the last two weeks from the SDF in a rapid turn of events that has consolidated President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. Sharaa’s forces were closing in on the last SDF strongholds earlier this week when he abruptly announced a ceasefire, giving them until Saturday night to lay down arms and come up with a plan to integrate with Syria’s army — or to resume fighting.
Turkiye’s pro-Kurd party urges end to Kobane siege
Syria’s Foreign Ministry denied reports that an agreement to extend the ceasefire had been reached, describing them as baseless. The ministry said there had been no “positive response” to the government’s proposal, accusing the SDF of repeated violations of the truce.
The SDF said the government was moving towards escalation. “Military build-ups and logistical movements have been observed, clearly indicating an intent to escalate and push the region toward a new confrontation,” the SDF said.
US shuttle diplomacy
The US has been engaging in shuttle diplomacy to establish a lasting ceasefire and facilitate the integration of the SDF — which for years was Washington’s main partner in Syria — into the state led by its new favoured ally, Sharaa.
Senior US and French officials have urged Sharaa not to send his troops into remaining Kurdish-held areas, fearing renewed fighting, sources said.
Kobane siege
Turkiye’s pro-Kurdish DEM party on Saturday called for the blockade on the Kurdish-majority city of Kobane to be lifted immediately, warning of a “humanitarian tragedy”.
The situation in Kobane had escalated from a crisis into a “deadly catastrophe”, DEM said after sending a delegation to visit northeastern Syria which has been targeted by a major Syrian military offensive.
The Kurdish-held city, also known as Ain al-Arab, is surrounded by the Turkish border to its north and government forces on all sides. It lies around 200km from the Kurds’ stronghold in Syria’s far northeast. “Both the military and humanitarian siege on Kobane must be lifted as soon as possible,” said DEM co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari.
Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2026