Syrian Democratic Forces

US continues gradual withdrawal from Syria as major ISIS family camp closes

“The United States on Monday began withdrawing from Qasrak Base in Hasaka, northeastern Syria (Rojava), transferring equipment to Iraq,” Rudaw Kurdish media reported.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018
The flags of Turkey and Israel are flown as President Isaac Herzog makes a state visit to Turkey, March 9, 2022.

Crisis-driver or Gaza stabilizer? Why Turkey believes it switched roles with Israel - analysis

Ankara feels that from the Horn of Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria and Iraq it has increased its influence greatly in the last years. 

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US military vehicles drive in Hasaka, Syria December 6, 2024; illustrative.

US anti-ISIS mission in Syria is ending - analysis

Ever since the last ISIS enclave was cleared, the US has been backing the SDF to continue to crack down on any ISIS cells that pop up and also to detain the ISIS fighters.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
CHILDREN, PART of a group of detainees, look through a fence at al-Hol camp after the Syrian government took control of it following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Hasaka, Syria, January 21, 2026.

Syrian detention camp for suspected ISIS relatives nearly empty, former director says

Al-Hol, near the Iraqi border, was one of the main detention camps for relatives of suspected Islamic State fighters who were detained during the US-backed campaign against the jihadist group.

|ByREUTERS

Besieged Kobane faces humanitarian disaster amid Syrian government, SDF deadlock

Reports say Kobane's ‘roads remain closed, while food and medical supplies are barred from entry’ to an area of 600,000 people.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of the Syrian government internal security forces gather in the northern Syrian town of Sirrin as they wait to enter the city of Kobane on February 2, 2026.

Damascus says it took over Ash Shaddadi base as part of US-coordination framework

In a short statement, the defense authority in Damascus said its army assumed control of the facility south of Al Hasakah city. The announcement did not specify when the transfer took place.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Syrian security forces take control of Al-Hol camp in the desert region of Hasakeh Province, Syria, on January 21, 2026

Kurds’ monumental role in defeating ISIS deserves recognition - analysis

As the anti-ISIS Coalition embraces Syria, the Kurdish role in the war on ISIS in Iraq and Syria also deserves recognition.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of the Kurdish community and other protesters attend a demonstration against recent military clashes between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces, in Berlin, Germany, January 24, 2026.

Syria continues to deploy forces, integrate SDF into defense establishment following agreement

After clashes in January, the SDF and Syrian government agreed to cooperate and find a way to enable Syrian forces to deploy to SDF-held areas in eastern Syria.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces wait for the arrival of the security forces of the Syrian government during the curfew, following an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government, in Qamishli, Syria, February 3, 2026.

Damascus reaches out to rival Kurdish factions amid eastern Syria transition - analysis

The changes on the ground are part of a January 30 deal between the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Public Security Forces drive through a crowd as they enter the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria on February 3, 2026, under an integration deal with Kurdish authorities.

Damascus courts Kurdish trust with arrests, Kurds say Sharaa must acknowledge Rojava atrocities

While reports indicate a member of the Syrian Arab Army was arrested for butchering the braid off a murdered female SDF fighter, Kurds say they are still waiting for the violence to be acknowledged

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Members of the Kurdish forces stand guard as Syrian government internal security forces enter the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on February 2, 2026.

Violent Islamism in plain sight spills over in Syria - opinion

As Sharaa continues to disempower the SDF, thousands of ISIS extremists and fighters are poised to spill over into the heartland of Syrian minorities.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByQANTA AHMED
Residents cheer as Syrian government internal security forces enter the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on February 2, 2026.

Syrian government forces enter SDF held Hasakah after ceasefire deal

Syrian Interior Ministry forces entered Hasakah on Monday under a deal with the US-backed SDF, marking a key test of coordination after weeks of clashes.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Interior Ministry security forces vehicles prepare to enter the city of Hasakah in northeastern Syria, following an agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces reached on January 30, in Al-hasakah, Syria, February 2, 2026.

Why Washington shifts from Syria’s Kurds to Sharaa - opinion

Trump’s military and political backing for the SDF as the central anti‑ISIS instrument has now evolved to a policy where they are a problem that needs solving.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER
US President Donald Trump meets Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa in the White House, Washington, DC, November 10, 2025

Senators seek assurance with Save the Kurds Act as Sharaa regime, SDF agree to integration deal

The Save the Kurds Act calls for snapback sanctions if the Syrian regime recommences attacks on Kurds and demands that HTS be redesignated as a terrorist organization

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Syrian Kurds demonstrate to demand their rights in the Syrian constitution and in support of Kurdish unity, in Qamishli, Syria February 1, 2026.