Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 16:44 AFP — Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday announced an agreement with the chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, that includes a ceasefire after government forces advanced in Kurdish-held areas of the north and east.

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 16:13 AFP —

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 16:07 AFP —

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 15:49 AFP —

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 15:38 AFP — Iraq said on Sunday US-led coalition forces had finished withdrawing from bases within the country's federal territory, which excludes the autonomous northern Kurdistan region.

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 15:36 AFP — President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with US envoy Tom Barrack on Sunday and insisted on Syria's sovereignty across the country, a statement said, as his forces advance against withdrawing Kurdish fighters in the north and east.

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 15:21 AFP —

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 13:48 AFP — Syrian state media said two civilians were killed by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northern city of Raqa on Sunday, as a monitor reported clashes there.

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 13:27 AFP —

Sunday, 18 January, 2026 , 13:27 AFP — France's President Emmanuel Macron in telephone talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday urged a "permanent ceasefire" after fighting between Damascus troops and Kurdish forces.