Syria announces 15-day ceasefire extension hours after truce with Kurds expires

Hours after a four‑day ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expired on Saturday, Syria’s defence ministry announced a 15‑day extension just hours later. The ministry said the extension supports a US‑led operation to transfer Islamic State detainees from prisons in northeastern Syria to detention centres in Iraq . The SDF confirmed it agreed to the extension, saying it “contributes to de‑escalation, the protection of civilians, and the creation of the necessary conditions for stability.”

But behind that formal statement, many Kurdish fighters and leaders have voiced deep frustration and disappointment with the United States , their long‑time ally against Islamic State. In recent days, SDF commanders have publicly lamented what they see as a marked shift in US policy, from active support and protection to stepping back at a critical moment as government forces advance on Kurdish-held territory and take control of areas once secured by the SDF. A Kurdish commander urged Washington to intervene more forcefully, saying the US should offer guarantees of protection for Syrian Kurds rather than remaining on the sidelines.

In Kurdish cities and towns, frustration is palpable. Local activists and residents have described a sense of being abandoned by Washington , arguing that years of cooperation against Islamic State have given way to a policy that now prioritises Damascus and containment of detainees over Kurdish security and autonomy . Some Kurds have criticised the perception that the US has signalled the SDF’s role has “largely expired,” leaving them without reliable backing as they face pressure to integrate into the Syrian state or risk further losses.

The SDF has also highlighted continued military buildups by government forces despite the truce, warning that such preparations contradict the spirit of de‑escalation and could undermine stability. They have called on the international community to ensure that the ceasefire terms are respected and to support political solutions rather than allowing unilateral moves to reshape control on the ground.

The extended truce also overlaps with a broader political deal requiring SDF fighters to eventually merge into the Syrian army and police forces, a condition many fighters view with skepticism. While helping facilitate the transfer of thousands of IS detainees , including recent relocations to Iraq, the SDF’s sense of betrayal by the US and concerns over their future autonomy remain central to the uneasy peace.