Damascus: The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that it had forged a 15-day ceasefire extension deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in support of the US operation to evacuate ISIS prisoners from SDF custody to Iraq.

According to Qatar News Agency, a statement by the Ministry reported that the ceasefire applies to all sectors of the Syrian military's operations, effective from 11 p.m. Saturday. The declaration comes amid rapid political and military developments and international efforts to address security and humanitarian issues related to ISIS and areas controlled by the SDF in northeastern Syria.

Humanitarian corridors in Hasaka, northeast of the country, are set to open in the coming hours, the Military Operations Authority of the Syrian Arab Army announced, noting that the SDF continues to commit breaches in the areas under its control. The Syrian Arab News Agency cited the Military Operations Authority as saying that the Syrian Arab Army would protect all Syrian communities, safeguard the unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, and confront all cross-border terrorist schemes.

Earlier today, a Syrian government source declared that the truce with the SDF had ended, noting that the government is weighing its options. On Jan. 20, 2026, the Syrian Presidency announced that a mutual understanding had been reached between the government and the SDF on a range of issues concerning the future of Hasaka Governorate in northeastern Syria.

The deal included granting the SDF a four-day consultation period to develop a detailed plan to integrate Kurdish institutions into the governorates within the framework of government institutions following the SDF withdrawal from large swaths of territory in the northeast due to the flare-up of confrontations between SDF and the Syrian forces.