Syrian Democratic Forces – War Watch

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Power Shift in Syria Upends an Archipelago for ISIS Prisoners
ByCarlotta Gall, Hussam Hammoud and Nanna Heitmann February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

America’s Kurdish allies oversaw two dozen sites holding thousands of members of the terrorist group and their families. Their withdrawal has left the system in chaos.

Read More Power Shift in Syria Upends an Archipelago for ISIS Prisoners
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Aleppo (Syria) | Defense and Military Forces | Deir al-Zour (Syria) | Hasaka (Syria) | Hayat Tahrir al-Sham | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Secession and Independence Movements | Syria | Syrian Army | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syrian Army Crosses New Threshold With Advances in Kurdish Regions
ByCarlotta Gall, Hussam Hammoud and Nanna Heitmann February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

The advance of the Syrian Army into Kurdish regions could put nearly all the country under one authority. But it ends a dream of autonomy for ethnic Kurds.

Read More Syrian Army Crosses New Threshold With Advances in Kurdish Regions
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Detainees | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | United States Defense and Military Forces

U.S. Transfers Thousands of ISIS Prisoners to Iraq From Syria
ByEric Schmitt February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

The moves appear to highlight lingering doubts in Washington about the new Syrian government’s ability to ensure security.

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al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Chevron Corporation | ConocoPhillips | Energy Information Administration | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Offshore Drilling and Exploration | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Politics and Government | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Chevron Agrees to Explore Oil and Gas Work in Syria
ByChristina Goldbaum February 4, 2026

Chevron has signed an initial agreement to start working in Syria, weeks after the Syrian government seized control of key oil and gas fields in the north of the country.

Read More Chevron Agrees to Explore Oil and Gas Work in Syria
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Militia Seal a Deal to Merge Forces
ByChristina Goldbaum January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

The long-anticipated agreement closes a period of intense uncertainty in northeastern Syria after rebel forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is now the president, seized power in December 2024.

Read More Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Militia Seal a Deal to Merge Forces
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Peace Process | Syria | Syrian Army | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Announces Cease-Fire Extension, Hours After Truce With Kurds Expired
ByAbdi Latif Dahir January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

Syria’s government and Kurdish-led forces in the country’s northeast have clashed as President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to extend his authority across the entire country.

Read More Syria Announces Cease-Fire Extension, Hours After Truce With Kurds Expired
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | United States Defense and Military Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Starts Moving ISIS Detainees From Syria to Iraq
ByEuan Ward and Eric Schmitt January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

The U.S. military said it had transferred 150 Islamic State detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq and could eventually move as many as 7,000, as the Syrian government assumes control of the region from Kurdish-led forces.

Read More U.S. Starts Moving ISIS Detainees From Syria to Iraq
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Pivot in Syria Leaves an Old Ally in the Lurch
ByBen Hubbard and Carlotta Gall January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

A Kurdish force that helped defeat the Islamic State is collapsing as the Trump administration turns to back the new Syrian government.

Read More U.S. Pivot in Syria Leaves an Old Ally in the Lurch
Al Hol Detention Camp (Syria) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Prisons and Prisoners | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against ISIS
ByEuan Ward and Alissa J. Rubin January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

The U.S. envoy to Syria said Washington was confident the Syrian government could take over the country’s fight against the Islamic State terrorist group.

Read More U.S. Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against ISIS
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States | United States International Relations

For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win
ByChristina Goldbaum January 20, 2026

As the government moves to assert control over areas under Kurdish rule, it will be the latest test of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s pledge to form an inclusive administration that empowers minorities.

Read More For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win