A four-day ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces expired late Saturday, leaving the future of the truce unclear as both sides traded accusations of violations and positioned troops along tense front lines.
The ceasefire formally ended at 8 p.m. local time, with Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) facing each other near the last remaining Kurdish-held cities in northeastern Syria.
Shortly after the deadline passed, Syria’s Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa confirmed that the government no longer considered the truce in effect.
“The deadline given to the SDF has expired,” al-Mustafa said in a post on X, adding that authorities were now “considering their next options.”
The Kurdish-led SDF did not immediately comment on whether it still regarded the ceasefire as valid.
Meanwhile, Syria’s Foreign Ministry denied reports that an agreement had been reached to extend the truce, calling such claims “baseless,” according to the state news agency. The ministry accused the SDF of repeatedly breaching the ceasefire and said there had been no “positive response” to Damascus’s proposals.
The SDF rejected those accusations, warning that government actions were pushing the region toward a new confrontation.
“Military build-ups and logistical movements have been observed, clearly indicating an intent to escalate,” the group said in a statement.
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The fragile truce followed swift advances by government forces, which have captured large parts of northern and eastern Syria from the SDF over the past two weeks — a rapid reversal that has strengthened the position of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Earlier this week, Sharaa’s forces were nearing the final SDF strongholds when he unexpectedly announced the ceasefire. Under its terms, Kurdish forces were given until Saturday night to disarm and present a plan to integrate into Syria’s national army or face renewed military action.
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The outcome now appears uncertain, with neither side signaling clear willingness to compromise.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent a return to large-scale fighting.
The United States has been engaged in what officials describe as shuttle diplomacy, aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and encouraging the integration of the SDF into Syria’s state institutions. For years, the SDF served as Washington’s main local partner in the fight against Islamic State militants.
France has also cautioned the Syrian leadership over its handling of the Kurdish issue, according to regional sources, as Western governments seek to avoid a new front opening in Syria’s long-running conflict.
With the ceasefire now expired and forces massed on both sides, the coming days will likely determine whether Syria moves toward a negotiated settlement with the Kurds — or back into open warfare in the northeast.
