Overview
- Following deadly clashes on December 22, the Syrian army ordered a stop to targeting SDF positions and the SDF told its fighters to cease responding, signaling a mutual de-escalation.
- Authorities and the SDF traded blame for the Aleppo violence, with official tallies reporting at least two civilians killed and several wounded, and local officials pausing classes and some government services.
- A high-level Turkish delegation led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Syrian leaders in Damascus to push implementation of the March 10 integration agreement, which Ankara calls a national security priority.
- Syrian officials say they received the SDF’s response to a Defense Ministry proposal that would reorganize about 50,000 SDF fighters into three divisions and additional brigades under adjusted chains of command.
- Talks also covered regional security concerns, including Israeli operations in southern Syria and efforts to prevent an Islamic State resurgence, as mediators press for progress without a finalized deal in place.