Just hours after a four-day ceasefire was set to expire, the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to extend the truce by another 15 days.

According to Syria’s Ministry of Defence, the renewed ceasefire came into effect at 11:00 pm local time on Saturday (January 24). The agreement applies to areas in northeastern Syria, including Hasakah province.

Al Jazeera reported that the main purpose of extending the ceasefire is to accelerate the transfer of ISIL (ISIS) detainees from former SDF-run detention facilities. The relocation process is being carried out under the supervision of the United States.

The SDF also confirmed the extension in an official statement, saying the agreement would help ease tensions, protect civilians and create conditions necessary for maintaining stability in the region.

While the announcement has brought a degree of relief among residents in Damascus and surrounding areas, uncertainty remains over the broader conflict. A key unresolved issue is the integration of SDF fighters into state military and civilian institutions, which continues to pose a major challenge.

Earlier, on January 18, President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a ceasefire and a framework agreement with the SDF as part of efforts to restore state authority in northeastern Syria. The SDF agreed to the deal. However, clashes resumed just a day later, on January 19, between government forces and SDF fighters.

During the renewed fighting, nearly 200 IS detainees reportedly escaped from the Shaddadi prison in Hasakah province. The Syrian government blamed the SDF for the incident, describing it as an act of “political blackmail.” In a statement, the Interior Ministry accused the SDF of deliberately allowing the prisoners to flee and issuing misleading claims to the international community.