In the latest flare-up, fighting broke out in the country’s northeast, between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The question of Kurdish autonomy emerged immediately after the Assad government fell. As talks stalled in early January, Mr. Sharaa’s forces moved into the Arab neighbourhoods of Aleppo, which were controlled by Kurdish forces. Now, Mr. Sharaa, who has been emboldened by the international recognition he has achieved, wants to end Kurdish autonomy. In the past, Turkiye had carried out military operations to push Kurdish forces away from the Syria-Turkish border and create a buffer.

Source: The Hindu January 28, 2026 13:20 UTC