Syrian Democratic Forces

US efforts helped pave way for Syria-Druze deal, source tells 'Post'

Months of US diplomacy paved the way for a historic detainee swap between Damascus and the Druze of Sweida, marking a breakthrough in Syrian peace efforts.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of the military police stand near a bus carrying released detainees during a prisoner exchange between the Syrian government and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, February 26, 2026.
Syrian army increases security measures in and around al-Hol camp, located south of Al-Hasakah, where families of Daesh members, most of them women and children, are being held, in Syria, on January 25, 2026.

Syria blames SDF withdrawal for chaos and escapes at al-Hol camp

The camp, located near the Iraqi border, had long housed relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) members alongside civilians displaced by years of conflict.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Illustration of ISIS terrorists.

‘Signal of command and control’: New ISIS audio shows consolidation, not comeback, analysts say

Leadership messaging points to internal discipline and network survival rather than renewed territorial expansion.

|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE
A Syrian man takes up arms at a gasoline station in a frontline village on January 23, 2026 in Sweida, Syria.

Syrian government, Druze renew participation in new US-backed talks - report

Reports say that a prisoner deal in Sweida could pave the way for a deal that resolves the crisis with Damascus and provides locals with administrative and security powers.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

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.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018

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. 

FEBRUARY 22, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
The flags of Turkey and Israel are flown as President Isaac Herzog makes a state visit to Turkey, March 9, 2022.

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.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US military vehicles drive in Hasaka, Syria December 6, 2024; illustrative.

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.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByREUTERS
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.

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.