By Micah Jonah ,January 21, 2026
US Special Envoy, Tom Barrack said the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) role as the main anti-ISIS force has largely ended, as the Syrian government is ready to take over security responsibilities, including control of ISIL detention facilities.
Barrack described the shift as a “unique window” for Kurds to integrate into Syrian society, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa granting citizenship rights and Kurdish language protections. The four-day ceasefire between Damascus and the SDF reinforces this transition.
Al Jazeera reports that the US had trained and supported the SDF for over a decade, but as Syria joins the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the government now assumes the leading role in counterterrorism.
Despite the ceasefire, recent clashes in al-Shaddadi saw ISIL-linked prisoners flee before the agreement took full effect. Both sides have committed to the ceasefire and political dialogue, moving forward.
