Syria’s defense ministry announced Saturday that it has extended a ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces for another 15 days, following the expiration of an initial four-day truce. The extension comes as U.S. forces oversee the transfer of accused Islamic State detainees from Syrian prisons to detention centers in Iraq.
“The defense ministry said in a statement that the extension was in support of an operation by U.S. forces to transfer accused Islamic State militants who had been held in prisons in northeastern Syria to detention centers in Iraq,” according to the announcement.
The SDF confirmed the ceasefire extension, stating that “Our forces affirm our commitment to the agreement and our dedication to respecting it, which contributes to de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the creation of the necessary conditions for stability.”
Recent Escalation and Territory Loss
The ceasefire extension marks a fragile pause in fighting that has intensified in recent weeks. Government forces and the SDF have engaged in intense clashes in which the Kurdish-led group lost large parts of the territory it once controlled. Government forces have been sending reinforcements to Syria’s northeast, raising concerns among Kurdish commanders about the stability of the truce.
The SDF reported on Saturday that military buildups and logistical movements by government forces have been observed, “clearly indicating an intent to escalate and push the region toward a new confrontation.” Despite the military pressure, the SDF said it would continue to abide by the truce agreement.
Unresolved Merger Disagreement
The ceasefire extension reflects the underlying tensions in a broader agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF. Syria’s interim government signed an accord with the Kurdish-led group in March 2026 that called for the SDF to hand over territory and eventually merge its fighters with government forces.
In early January 2026, a new round of talks between the two sides failed to make progress over the proposed merger, leading to the renewed fighting that preceded this ceasefire. A new version of the accord was signed last weekend, with a four-day ceasefire declared the following Tuesday. Under the new deal, SDF members will have to merge into the Syrian army and police forces as individuals rather than as a cohesive unit.
Islamic State Detainee Transfers
The ceasefire extension coincides with a significant operation to move Islamic State prisoners from Syria to Iraq. The U.S. military announced that approximately 7,000 Islamic State detainees will be transferred from prisons in northeastern Syria to detention centers in Iraq.
As of Wednesday, the U.S. military reported that 150 prisoners had already been transported. The Syrian government operates two prisons in the region following recent operations, while the SDF continues to run the remaining detention facilities that hold most of the approximately 9,000 Islamic State group members detained in northeastern Syria.
On Saturday, Syrian authorities released 126 boys under the age of 18 who were held at the al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa, handing them over to their families in the city.
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