Syria extends ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF for 15 days to support U.S. transfer of Islamic State detainees
Syria’s defense ministry announced a 15-day extension of a truce with the Kurdish-led SDF, framing it as a window for a U.S.-backed operation moving Islamic State detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq while negotiations and military tensions persist.
Syria’s defense ministry said it is extending its ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for another 15 days, after a short truce expired and amid continued uncertainty over whether fighting could resume in the northeast.
Officials linked the extension to a U.S. operation aimed at transferring Islamic State detainees from detention facilities in northeastern Syria to Iraq, an effort intended to reduce the risk of prison breaks during renewed clashes.
The SDF confirmed it would adhere to the extension, while also warning it had observed movements and buildups that it said could signal preparations for escalation.
The ceasefire comes against the backdrop of broader talks over the future of SDF forces and governance, including discussions on integration into Syrian state structures—an issue that has repeatedly stalled and reignited conflict.