Syrian Ministry of Defense forces look at a burning vehicle in the northern city of Raqa, on the north bank of the Euphrates River on January 18, 2026. The Syrian President on January 18, announced an agreement with the chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that includes a ceasefire after government forces advanced in Kurdish-held areas of the north and east. The presidency published the text of the signed, 14-point deal, which includes integrating the SDF and Kurdish security forces into the defence and interior ministries, the immediate handover of Kurdish-run Deir Ezzor and Raqa provinces to the government, and for Damascus to take responsibility for Islamic State group prisoners and their families held in Kurdish-run jails and camps.