Kurdish fighters in the contested northeast of Syria: the ceasefire applies for another 15 days.Image: AP
Jan 24, 2026, 10:21 p.mJan 24, 2026, 10:21 p.m
In Syria, a ceasefire between the interim government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been extended by 15 days, according to both sides. The SDF said the decision was reached through international mediation.
The extension is intended to facilitate the transfer of detainees from prisons for fighters of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia to Iraq, the Defense Ministry said.
In recent weeks, the Syrian interim government has taken military action against the areas in the northeast of the country that were previously controlled by Kurds. During the fighting, government troops were able to bring large areas under state control.
IS prisoners in Iraq
The areas in the northeast of the country also contain prisons and camps for IS fighters and their relatives, which were until recently controlled by Kurdish forces. Government forces have taken control of some of the camps and detention centers. Because of the fighting, there were concerns about a loss of control over the prisons and their inmates. Some prisoners are said to have escaped.
As part of the ceasefire, the US has begun transferring dozens of imprisoned IS supporters to Iraq. The plan is to relocate up to 7,000 of them to the neighboring country. According to Iraqi information, these are people with Iraqi and foreign citizenship.
About 40 Germans
According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), around 40 people with German citizenship were in custody of Kurdish forces before the offensive began, according to German security authorities. It is not clear whether these will also be deployed to Iraq. According to a spokesman for the Foreign Office, there are currently no plans to bring the imprisoned men back.
The ceasefire previously agreed on Tuesday expired at 8 p.m. (local time, 6 p.m. CET) that evening. The SDF should present a plan at this time as to how more of its institutions can be integrated into the overall Syrian order. In March of the previous year, both sides agreed to integrate the previously Kurdish self-governing institutions into the state apparatus. (sda/dpa)