Syrian government troops tightened their grip on Monday across a swathe of northern and eastern territory abruptly abandoned the previous day by Kurdish forces, in a dramatic shift that consolidated President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. After days of fighting with government forces, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), once the main U.S. allies in Syria, agreed on Sunday to withdraw from two Arab-majority provinces they had controlled for years, including oil fields. It marks the biggest shift in Syria’s control map since Islamist fighters led by Sharaa toppled President Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The balance of power had been tilting Sharaa’s way after months of deadlock in talks with the SDF over government demands its forces merge fully with Damascus. Neighbour Turkey, which has repeatedly sent forces into northern Syria to curb Kurdish power since 2016, welcomed the agreement signed by its ally Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, voicing hope it would help bring stability and security.

Full report : Syrian troops consolidate hold after abrupt Kurdish withdrawal.