January, 2026

• 20 January

  Researcher Tells TML ‘Military Control Alone Is Not Enough To Ensure Stability’ in Eastern Aleppo as Syrian Army Replaces SDF

  

  Researcher Tells TML ‘Military Control Alone Is Not Enough To Ensure Stability’ in Eastern Aleppo as Syrian Army Replaces SDF Middle East researcher Mazen al-Khalil told The Media Line that “the withdrawal of thousands of fighters without a clear political agreement raises questions about the area’s future” [DAMASCUS] In a …

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• 20 January

  Damascus seeks to separate Kurds from the SDF

  

  Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa has escalated his political rhetoric against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in his latest interview with the Kurdish Shams TV channel, excerpts of which were aired by the state-run Syrian al-Ikhbariya. Al-Sharaa’s discourse shifted toward blame and accusations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), accusing …

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• 20 January

  Mazloum Abdi says de escalation efforts continue with international support

  

  SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said his efforts to work toward de-escalation and a ceasefire continue, with the help of international parties, calling on “the people to rally around their sons, our fighters, and show courage and faith,” as he put it. In an interview with the Kurdish Hawar News Agency, …

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• 20 January

  “The Autonomous Administration” calls for general mobilization

  

  The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, the governing arm of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), called for self-defense, general mobilization, and taking up arms to support its forces in response to an offensive by the Syrian army on its areas. In a statement issued today, Sunday, January 18, …

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• 20 January

  Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 18, 2026

  Toplines Russian forces are reportedly preparing to conduct long-range strikes against substations powering Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. Ukraine’s Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on January 17 that Russia is considering strikes on electricity transmission substations on which Ukrainian nuclear power plants depend to operate.[1] …

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• 20 January

  Special: Syrian Government Offensive Forces Syrian Kurdish Group to Capitulate

  The US-backed, Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) capitulated to the Syrian government in a ceasefire agreement on January 18.[i] The government compelled the SDF to agree after a combination of government operations and tribal uprisings caused the SDF to withdraw from nearly half of its territory and most of the …

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• 20 January

  Syrian Government Offensive Forces Syrian Kurdish Group to Capitulate

  

  The US-backed, Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) capitulated to the Syrian government in a ceasefire agreement on January 18.[1] The government compelled the SDF to agree after a combination of government operations and tribal uprisings caused the SDF to withdraw from nearly half of its territory and most of the …

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• 20 January

  Iran Update, January 18, 2026

  

  Key Takeaways Iranian Information Operation: Elements of the Iranian regime leaked information about purported plans to moderate regime behavior domestically and internationally. A former regime official close to Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani told an English-language diaspora outlet that Larijani is pushing to moderate regime policies and conduct …

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• 19 January

  The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party calls for a halt to the escalation and affirms support for dialogue in Syria.

  

  The President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, called for an end to the escalation in Syria and a return to dialogue and previous agreements, stressing support for political efforts and strengthening Kurdish rights in a way that serves the unity and stability of the country. The President of …

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• 19 January

  Turkish mercenaries under the microscope of British sanctions – Diaa Iskandar

  

  Since the outbreak of the popular uprising in 2011, Syria has become an open arena for regional and international interventions. With a political solution stalled, the conflict-ridden land has become crowded with conflicting agendas. In this landscape, Turkish-backed factions have emerged as instruments of influence on the Syrian scene, ostensibly …

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