The government of Syria declared a ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces following a withdrawal of the militia alliance in al-Hol camp, which houses thousands of people alleged to have ties with Islamic State. The development represents a significant shift in the course of a long-running civil war in Syria.
Why the SDF Withdrew from al-Hol Camp
SDF claimed that it was “compelled” to leave al-Hol camp and redeploy its forces to other cities in north-east Syria because of “international indifference to the threat issued by IS.” SDF’s al-Hol Salvation Branch announced on Twitter that the group’s forces would be redeployed to other cities in north-eastern Syria due to “the issue that IS raised internationally.” Al-Hol camp is one of the largest detention facilities in the region and has previously been accused of poor living standards and lack of security.
The SDF insisted that this withdrawal came as a result of failure by the international community to take action, especially in regards to foreign IS detainees who are refused repatriation by several nations.
Syria’s Government Claims Lack of Coordination
The Syrian interior ministry condemned the withdrawal, saying it was carried out with no coordination with either the Syrian government or the international coalition against IS. This scenario is consistent with the tensions between the Syrian government and the SDF that have been running the country’s northeast region autonomously for years.
The Ceasefire Deal: What It Includes
The Syrian presidency later announced an “understanding” with the SDF regarding the future of Hassakeh province, a Kurdish-majority region. Key terms include:
- Four days for the SDF to consult on a plan for integrating its controlled areas into the Syrian state
- A guarantee that government forces will not enter Hassakeh, Qamishli, or Kurdish villages
- The SDF’s pledge to not initiate military action unless attacked
The agreement also aims to bring the Kurdish-run autonomous region under government control, including key infrastructure and institutions. It would also integrate tens of thousands of SDF fighters into Syria’s defense and interior ministries.
What the Deal Means for Kurdish Autonomy
The ceasefire is a significant blow to the SDF and its Kurdish autonomy, which it has maintained against IS, in partnership with the US-led coalition, since fighting broke out. The SDF has long rejected full integration with the Syrian government, instead fighting to give Syria’s Kurdish minority more autonomy. This new deal seems to leave the SDF with no other option than to either be integrated into the government or face another war.
The International Context: IS Detainees and Global Responsibility
Before the conflict, the SDF held approximately 8,000 suspected IS fighters in prisons across northeastern Syria. In addition, the UN reported in August that around 34,000 people linked to IS were detained in camps such as al-Hol and Roj. Of these detainees:
- 60% were children
- 6,700 were Iraqi
- 15,500 were Syrian
- 8,500 were foreign nationals, including citizens from the UK
The SDF, the US, and the UN have repeatedly called for the repatriation of foreign detainees. However, many countries have refused, citing security concerns and domestic political backlash.
New Clashes and the Risk of Escalation
The ceasefire came after government forces advanced deep into Hassakeh province following the capture of Deir al-Zour and Raqqa—former IS strongholds. The SDF’s withdrawal from al-Hol coincided with escalating fighting and accusations of prison breakouts.
Syria’s interior ministry claimed that around 120 IS prisoners escaped from an SDF-controlled prison in Shaddadi. Security forces reportedly arrested 81 of the fugitives. The SDF, however, said it lost control of the prison after attacks by Damascus-aligned factions, and that around 1,500 IS fighters escaped during the clashes.
Allegations of Attacks on IS Prisons
The SDF also accused government forces of shelling al-Aqtan prison north of Raqqa, which holds IS members and leaders. The SDF claimed the attack cut off water supplies and violated humanitarian standards, warning that detainees’ lives were at risk.
The Syrian defense ministry denied any clashes and stated the prison was “fully secured” with military police and internal security forces ensuring stability.
The US Response and Shifting Alliances
The US, once the SDF’s main ally, expressed “grave concern” over the developments. A White House official urged restraint and emphasized the need to protect civilians across all minority groups. Special envoy Tom Barrack stated that the US-SDF partnership had “largely expired,” noting that Washington’s focus is now on securing IS detention facilities and facilitating talks between the SDF and the Syrian government.
Barrack described the ceasefire as a potential pathway to full integration into a unified Syrian state, including citizenship rights, cultural protections, and political participation—long denied under Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to reunify Syria after leading a rebel offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. However, Syria remains deeply divided, with ongoing sectarian violence and competing power centers.
The ceasefire deal is seen as a step toward reunification, but the SDF’s acceptance appears driven more by necessity than choice. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi described the fighting as “imposed” and said the deal was accepted to “stop the bloodshed.”
