CARPO Pulse
In January 2026, Syria’s transitional government under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa advanced into areas previously controlled by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in north-east Syria. Government forces took control of key urban centers, infrastructure, and strategic assets, prompting the withdrawal of SDF units toward areas east of the Euphrates River. The offensive followed the failure to implement the March 2025 agreement between Damascus and the SDF, which had aimed to integrate SDF fighters and civilian governance structures into the Syrian state but stalled. The developments reflect a broader regional and international shift in Syria, as interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa consolidates his power with strong backing from regional and international actors and growing Western pragmatism focused on stability and state re-centralization. While some governments welcomed the advances, others warned of spill-over risks and concerns over former ISIS fighters who escaped from detention facilities.
