Syrian government security forces inspect tunnels used by the retreating Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, on January 20, 2026.

Syrian government security forces inspect tunnels used by the retreating Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, on January 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

The Syrian military announced Tuesday (January 20, 2026) evening a new four-day ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces after a previous agreement fell through.

There was no immediate response from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The two sides have been clashing for two weeks, amid a breakdown in negotiations over implementation of a deal to merge their forces together.

The announcement came after SDF forces earlier Tuesday (January 20, 2026) abandoned their posts guarding a camp housing thousands of people affiliated with the Islamic State militant group — a move that the Syrian military said allowed detainees to escape.

The al-Hol camp houses mainly women and children who are family members of IS members or accused of being otherwise affiliated with the group.


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