Sun Jan 18 20:21:02 UTC 2026: # Syrian Army Gains Ground Against SDF, Raising Concerns Over Regional Stability
The Story:
Recent intense battles in Syria have resulted in significant territorial gains for the Syrian Army at the expense of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Beginning in Aleppo, the conflict has expanded to northeastern Syria, a strategic and oil-rich region. These advancements by the Syrian Army are raising concerns about the future control of this region and the potential for further instability in the area.
Key Points:
- The Syrian Army has made significant territorial gains from the SDF after intense battles.
- The fighting started in Aleppo and has expanded to northeastern Syria.
- The region is strategically important and rich in oil.
- Negotiations between Damascus and the SDF, with US involvement, have failed to produce any results over the past year.
- The Syrian government is poised to tighten its grip on the region.
Key Takeaways:
- The failure of negotiations between the Syrian government and the SDF suggests deep-seated disagreements and a lack of trust.
- The Syrian Army’s territorial gains could lead to increased tensions with the Kurdish population and potentially reignite a broader conflict within Syria.
- The control of the oil-rich region provides significant economic leverage to whichever party controls it, raising the stakes of the conflict.
- The lack of a negotiated settlement and the ongoing military conflict signal a potential shift in the power dynamics within Syria, with potentially serious geopolitical implications for the wider region.
First Piper 