Syria Ceasefire Collapse: Government Forces Enter Raqqa 2026

Shaking hands but holding fists. The fragile peace in Syria is shattering as government forces took control of a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) base in Raqqa on January 19, 2026. Despite a recently announced ceasefire, renewed fighting west of the Euphrates River has pushed the nation back to the brink of large-scale conflict.

Syria Ceasefire Collapse and the Battle for Raqqa

Talks in Damascus between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi collapsed after five hours of intense negotiation. Immediately following the breakdown, the Syrian army launched artillery shelling around the SDF’s 17th Division headquarters. According to Al Jazeera, government troops have already reached the strategic Panorama intersection at the southern entrance of Hasakah.

A volatile blame game has erupted over the escape of ISIL prisoners from the al-Shaddadi facility. While the Ministry of Interior confirmed that 130 out of 200 escapees were recaptured, officials accused the SDF of using the release as "political blackmail." The SDF countered, claiming the army's own tribal affiliates triggered the prison break by attacking their guards.

Al-Sharaa's Ultimatum to the SDF

President al-Sharaa's offer to Mazloum Abdi was a mix of incentive and threat. He proposed appointing Abdi as Deputy Defence Minister and Governor of Hasakah, provided the SDF removes all PKK members from the territory. Abdi's request for a five-day consultation period was flatly rejected, with a deadline set for the end of Tuesday.

The United States finds itself in a precarious position. President Donald Trump, who recently delisted al-Sharaa from sanctions, spoke with the Syrian leader on Monday. With 900 American troops still stationed in SDF-controlled areas, Washington is the only power capable of mediating between its long-term Kurdish allies and the newly legitimized Damascus government.