A Syrian security force member stands at the entrance of a tunnel used by retreating Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters inside the military hospital compound in the town of Ain Issa, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are cheered by local residents ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
A convoy of Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) flashes victory signs as it heads toward the front line ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are cheered by local residents ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to head toward the front line ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dance as they are cheered by local residents ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
A Syrian security force member stands at the entrance of a tunnel used by retreating Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters inside the military hospital compound in the town of Ain Issa, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
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Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are cheered by local residents ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
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A convoy of Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) flashes victory signs as it heads toward the front line ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
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Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are cheered by local residents ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
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Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to head toward the front line ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
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Kurdish fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dance as they are cheered by local residents ahead of the end of a four-day truce with the Syrian government in Hassakeh, northeastern Syria, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
RAQQA, Syria (AP) — A four-day truce between the Syrian government and Kurdish fighters ended Saturday evening with no clear sign of whether it will be renewed as the main Kurdish-led force in the country called on the international community to prevent any escalation.
The end of the truce came as government forces have been sending reinforcements to Syria’s northeast. Over the past three weeks, they have witnessed intense clashes in which the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed , or SDF, lost large parts of the area they once controlled.
Syria’s state news agency SANA quoted an unnamed government official as saying that the truce has ended and the government “is studying its options.”
Syria’s interim government signed an agreement last March with the SDF for it to hand over territory and to eventually merge its fighters with government forces. In early January, a new round of talks failed to make progress over the merger, leading to renewed fighting between the two sides.
A new version of the accord was signed last weekend, and a was declared Tuesday. Part of the new deal is that SDF members will have to merge into the army and police forces as individuals.
The SDF said in a statement Saturday that military buildups and logistical movements by government forces have been observed, “clearly indicating an intent to escalate and push the region toward a new confrontation.” The SDF said it will continue to abide by the truce.
On Saturday, state TV said authorities on Saturday released 126 boys under the age of 18 who were held at the al-Aqtan prison near the northern city of Raqqa that was taken by government forces Friday. The teenagers were taken to the city of Raqqa where they were handed over to their families, the TV station said.
The prison is also home to some of the 9,000 members of the . Most of them remain held in . Government forces have so far taken control of two prisons while the rest are still run by the SDF.
Earlier this week, the U.S. military said that some 7,000 IS detainees will be transferred to detention centers in neighboring Iraq. On Wednesday, the U.S. military said that have been taken to Iraq.
