Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 20, 2026 Peace and security
The UN continues to closely monitor developments in north-east Syria following clashes between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition, which reportedly resulted in the escape of dozens of ISIS fighters from detention centres.
Secretary General Antonio Guterres UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN chief, said Tuesday at a briefing in New York that he is "watching with great concern" the ongoing violence.
The Secretary-General called on the parties to fully comply with international law and ensure the protection of civilians, emphasizing the need for reliable security in places of detention.
He also urged the parties to continue dialogue, act in good faith and work together to implement all agreements reached.
The situation of civilians
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) expressed "concern at reports of renewed fighting between the Syrian army and the SDF, despite the ceasefire agreement of 18 January," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.
Rolando Gomez, a representative of the UN Information Service in Geneva, described the overall situation as "alarming, especially given the damage to critical infrastructure." He expressed concern for families trapped in combat zones, as well as those forced to flee their homes in recent days.
Fragile transition period
Syria remains onan extremely fragile path of political transition after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 and nearly 14 years of civil war.
The transitional government is regaining control over areas in the northeast of the country previously controlled by Kurdish forces. Fighting has been reported in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasakah.
Syria's permanent representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, told reporters in New York that the government and the SDF had reached a "common understanding" on a number of issues concerning the future of Hasakah province.
According to him, the SDF has been given "four days to conduct internal consultations and prepare a detailed plan for practical mechanisms for integrating the region." Syrian troops, he noted, will not enter the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli and will remain on their outskirts until the plan is finalized.
Camps and prisons
Northeastern Syria is home to several prisons holding thousands of ISIS (Daesh) militants. This terrorist group previously controlled large swaths of Syria and Iraq, committing mass executions, rape, forced recruitment, and other serious crimes.
Tens of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, suspected of links to militants are being held in separate camps, including the infamous Al-Hol camp, where more than 30 thousand people live.
Ceasefire and new clashes
The ceasefire agreement of January 18 was reached after weeks of fierce fighting. It provides for the transfer of control over areas previously held by the SDF to the authorities and the integration of SDF forces into the national army.
However, the very next day after the ceasefire was announced, fighting resumed. According to media reports, approximately 120 ISIS militants escaped from a prison in the city of Ash-Shaddadi, although most were subsequently captured.
Shamdasani recalled that the OHCHR has repeatedly emphasized that any integration of armed forces, including SDF units, into Syrian state structures “must be carried out through a human rights-compliant vetting process to ensure that individuals involved in violations or abuses are not included in these structures.”
Humanitarian aid
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance in the four affected provinces, including emergency medical and psychosocial services, as well as water and sanitation support, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
In the city of Deir ez-Zor, government services have been suspended and key transport routes have been temporarily closed, depriving civilians of access to healthcare and education. In Raqqa, damage to critical infrastructure has restricted movement between city districts and disrupted the main water supply.
According to OCHA, people continue to flee the cities of Raqqa and Tabqa, as well as the village of Tawrw, heading towards Hasakah and Qamishli. Hundreds of families remain trapped in Tabqa and are sheltering in public buildings.
An assessment of the population's needs is currently underway, while humanitarian organizations continue to call for sustainable and safe access to those affected.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.